Infantino faces scrutiny over World Cup plans and Fifa governance
Gianni Infantino is expected to face sharp questions from Fifa council members at a meeting in Zurich about a proposed World Cup sell-off, the Folarin Balogun affair and Fifa’s decision to give Donald Trump its inaugural peace prize. Critics, including the leaders of Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation, will press for an independent review of Fifa’s governance.
Infantino has promised an external review, but its details have not been announced and critics doubt whether it will be independent. He is also likely to be asked about reports that a Fifa subsidiary paid him about £1.3m in 2024 on top of the £3.9m listed in Fifa’s accounts; Fifa denies paying a second salary and says its compensation disclosures comply with the rules. Despite the disputes, Infantino is currently on course to stand unopposed for re-election in March, with candidate declarations due by 18 November.
- Infantino faces questions over several Fifa controversies.
- Critics want an independent review of Fifa’s governance.
- He remains on course for an unopposed re-election.
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Fifa is the organisation that runs international football and stages the men’s and women’s World Cups. Its council helps oversee the organisation, while Gianni Infantino, its president since 2016, leads it. Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation are regional football bodies whose leaders are among Fifa’s senior members.
Fifa’s governance covers how it makes decisions, manages money and accounts for its actions. The issues drawing attention include proposals linked to the World Cup, a dispute involving US player Folarin Balogun, the award of a peace prize to Donald Trump, and questions about Infantino’s pay. The debate matters because Fifa’s decisions affect national football bodies, players and supporters around the world.
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The case for
Supporters of Infantino could argue that Fifa’s proposed World Cup plans and prize decisions are within its leadership’s remit, and that an external review can address concerns while allowing the organisation to keep operating. Fifa says it has not paid Infantino a second salary and that its disclosures follow the rules; his likely uncontested re-election may also suggest that no rival has secured sufficient support.
The case against
Critics could argue that the World Cup sell-off, the Balogun affair, the peace prize and questions about Infantino’s compensation warrant independent scrutiny because they raise concerns about decision-making and accountability. They may doubt whether a review commissioned by Fifa will be genuinely independent, and contend that unopposed re-election does not resolve those concerns or demonstrate broad confidence in the process.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Gianni Infantino faces grilling at potentially ‘explosive’ Fifa council meeting”.