Gianni Infantino could still win a fourth and final term as FIFA president. Observers told AFP that his critics have failed to find a strong candidate to stand against him.
The FIFA election takes place next March. The 56-year-old Swiss official has lost the backing of many football associations over a World Cup plan. He still keeps his core support in Africa and South America, according to AFP.
“If he is re-elected, which is looking increasingly likely, it will redefine the term Houdini,” former International Olympic Committee (IOC) marketing chief Michael Payne told AFP.
Infantino lost support after a plan to allow private investment into the World Cup came to light. The plan, called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), became public in July, just after the World Cup ended.
FFE would have created a business arm to run FIFA’s biggest events, such as the World Cup. Infantino launched the plan and then quickly shelved it, AFP reported.
Two of his strongest critics have chosen other paths. Aleksander Ceferin is running again as head of UEFA, Europe’s football body. Victor Montagliani is reportedly running again as head of CONCACAF, the North American body.
Terrence Burns worked as a marketing strategist on two successful World Cup hosting bids. He said Infantino was always in the strongest position.
“He holds all the cards and always has,” Burns told AFP. “Any prospective challenger at this point feels either performative or strategic to cut deals.”
Payne said “everyone is surprised” that no serious candidate has come forward.
Lise Klaveness, head of the Norwegian Football Federation, is a long-time critic of Infantino. She has impressed many people but has ruled out standing for the top job.
A source close to football governance, who asked not to be named, told AFP that Klaveness would face a hard fight. The source compared her position to that of Kirsty Coventry, who became the first woman elected IOC president last year.
“Lise faces exactly the opposite. FIFA staff would be working to stop her being elected,” the source said.
Infantino is not completely safe yet. His opponents have started legal challenges in the United States and filed official complaints with FIFA committees.
Klaveness and the Norwegian federation have raised three issues. All of them link back to Infantino’s friendship with US President Donald Trump, according to AFP.
The venture capital firm of Josh Kushner was set to be the main investor in FFE. Josh Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
The unnamed source said there was no certainty the complaints would be looked at. The source said the Infantino camp feared the Norwegians could take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Burns said the biggest risk to Infantino comes from UEFA’s court case in the US. UEFA wants access to the papers about FFE. FIFA is strongly fighting the case.
“That lack of transparency is a rock in Infantino’s shoe that will not fade away,” Burns said.
Payne said a lack of support from top football nations such as Spain, France and England could hurt Infantino. He said FIFA would be “on the brink of civil war”.
Burns said he expects the opposition to make peace with Infantino in the end. He said the process would likely “result in even greater consolidation of power and influence for Infantino when it is all over.”
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.