Gianni Infantino is set to face scrutiny from FIFA Council members regarding his involvement in the canceled World Cup sell-off plan, the Folarin Balogun case, and the decision to award Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. This expected tense meeting will occur at FIFA's headquarters on Thursday.
Despite calls for an extraordinary general meeting during the summer after the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposals surfaced, Infantino rejected these demands. However, he will now meet his critics in Zurich for the first time since then. One attendee predicts the discussions could be "explosive."
Aleksander Ceferin, Victor Montagliani, and Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, presidents of UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation respectively, all demand Infantino's resignation. They are attending to push for an independent review of FIFA’s governance.
In response to letters from Ceferin, Montagliani, and Salman last month, Infantino promised to commission an external review of FIFA's future governance. However, details are lacking, fueling skepticism about its independence.
Infantino will likely address questions about a Times report claiming he received a "second salary" of about £1.3 million in 2024, in addition to the £3.9 million declared in FIFA’s accounts. IRS filings reveal a FIFA subsidiary paid Infantino $1.76 million for running last summer's World Cup, not mentioned in FIFA's annual report where his salary is listed as 4.27 million Swiss francs (£3.88 million).
FIFA statutes require the president's compensation to be public. FIFA denies any wrongdoing, asserting it does not pay a second salary to the president and adheres to all reporting requirements. The president's compensation and benefits are decided by an independent subcommittee. FIFA refutes any claims of non-disclosure and insists its accounts, audited independently, comply with tax regulations in Switzerland, the U.S., and elsewhere.
Despite these controversies and opposition from the European, Asian, and North and Central American and Caribbean confederations, Infantino is likely to be re-elected unopposed in March’s election. Montagliani has declined to challenge Infantino, focusing on re-election as CONCACAF's president. UEFA has yet to find an alternative candidate, despite considering high-profile figures like Arsène Wenger and Michele Kang, who owns clubs including London City Lionesses.
The deadline for candidates to declare their intention to stand is 18 November, with the election scheduled for 18 March at FIFA congress in Rabat.
Read next
Uncovering Renée Richards: The Intricate Legacy of a Transgender Trailblazer in Sports
In 1977, tennis headlines were captivated by Dr. Renée Richards' legal battle for the right to play in the women's draw at the US Open. An accomplished ophthalmologist and former male amateur tennis player, Richards sought to compete as a woman after undergoing a sex-change operation.
"Unlocking Potential: How Sporting Mentors Redirect Prisoners to a New Path"
On the day 700 prisoners in England and Wales were released early, I drove to Wolverhampton for an event by the non-profit group ConnectSport. The event celebrated local sports clubs and initiatives that empower young people, as described by Ranjit Singh, a renowned figure in wrestling, martial arts, and
Athletics Contemplates Resetting Women's Marathon Record—What Steps Can Be Taken?
Two years ago, Ruth Chepngetich shattered the women’s marathon world record in Chicago, prompting comparisons to the moon landing by commentators. Her astonishing time of 2:09:56 not only broke the previous record by 1:57 but also surpassed her personal best by five minutes. Following her run,