Trump Backs FIFA President Infantino Amid Removal Pressure
Key Points
- Trump posted on Truth Social early Tuesday that removing Infantino would be a costly move for FIFA.
- Infantino's proposal to sell 20 percent stakes in World Cup operations to private investors was rejected by UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC.
- Three continental confederations signed an open letter Monday accusing Infantino of a 'fundamental breach of trust' and 'deception.'
Confederations Escalate Governance Challenge
The three-page letter from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC stated that "attempting to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup was a profound failure of judgment—not just a procedural misstep, but a fundamental breach of trust with the very institutions FIFA exists to serve." The associations criticized not just the proposal but the manner in which Infantino managed FIFA's response, writing: "It is not the conduct of a custodian of the game, but of one who believes the game is answerable to him."
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Europe's governing body UEFA previously announced a boycott of FIFA competitions while Infantino remains president. Last week UEFA confirmed the threat remained active. The three confederations had been the primary voices rejecting Infantino's privatization plan before it was scrapped. UEFA criticized a FIFA management committee meeting held in Morocco last Wednesday, where a statement backed Infantino, saying the leadership should have instead addressed FIFA's wider senior management at its headquarters in Switzerland.
US Soccer and Canada Soccer—two of the three national federations that hosted the most recent World Cup—issued their own statement calling for change. "US Soccer, Canada Soccer, CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stand together, along with our colleagues around the world, in calling for meaningful change that strengthens FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability."
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FIFA countered the criticism on Monday, accusing opponents of mounting "a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president." The organization stated: "Those who do not have the support of FIFA's member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA's established democratic processes."
The pressure on Infantino intensified following reports that a departure payment was made to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino when he served as UEFA's general secretary, a position he held between 2009 and 2016. UEFA confirmed the woman received a six-figure sum and coverage for an MBA course, describing the payment as "in line" with regulations at the time. Infantino worked at UEFA for 16 years before his election as FIFA president.
Trump's endorsement represents the highest-level political support Infantino has received since the governance crisis began, though it remains unclear whether his statement will sway FIFA's member associations or the continental confederations demanding accountability and structural reform.
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Sources: Sky Sports and other international news outlets.
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