Rights group urges FIFA to block Infantino re-election bid

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.

FIFA presidents are limited to three terms in office.

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 told Reuters.

“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.” Infantino is facing mounting scrutiny ahead of next year’s FIFA Congress, where he is expected to seek re-election for the 2027-31 cycle.

The vote is scheduled to take place in Morocco on March 18.

Last week, UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF called for a review of Infantino’s conduct after FIFA proposed creating a $20-billion subsidiary linked to its competitions, including the World Cup, to attract private investment.

Sources with knowledge of the situation said the three confederations viewed the letter as an opportunity for Infantino to quit with his dignity intact.

Several national associations have also voiced concerns.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell told the BBC on Monday that his federation would not support Infantino’s re-election.

Infantino, however, retains the backing of the African and South American confederations.

Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY QUESTIONED FairSquare also questioned the transparency of the 2022 ruling, saying the committee’s reasoning had never been made public.