Gianni Infantino not eligible for third term as Fifa president, human rights body says

FairSquare argues the Swiss has already served the maximum three terms permitted under the governing body’s statutes

Human rights organisation FairSquare has urged Fifa to rule that Gianni Infantino is ineligible to seek another term as president, arguing he has already served the maximum three terms permitted under the body’s statutes.

However, in 2022 Infantino successfully argued ‌that his first spell in charge, which began when he was elected at an Extraordinary Congress in 2016 following Sepp Blatter’s resignation, should not count towards that limit because it completed an interrupted mandate.

In a letter sent to Fifa’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee (GACC) as reported by The Athletic, FairSquare said that interpretation was inconsistent with Fifa statutes.

“The complaint we have filed provides clear evidence that this is a clear breach of the rules and one that sets a very dangerous precedent,” FairSquare director Nicholas McGeehan said.

“The rules state clearly that three presidential terms is the maximum allowed; Fifa ⁠can’t simply circumvent this rule – which serves as a check on presidential power – by saying that his first term doesn’t count.”