The French Football Federation is withdrawing its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid as FIFA chief next year, FFF President Philippe Diallo has said, saying trust in the head of world football’s governing body had been broken. The decision was taken unanimously by the FFF’s executive committee, Diallo said on Thursday. Diallo said France had initially backed Infantino’s candidacy at the end of June, when he was the only declared candidate, but that subsequent events had fundamentally changed the circumstances.
Diallo added that the proposed stake sale, which emerged without what he described as proper consultation or information being provided to federations, had raised serious questions over FIFA’s governance and decision-making. Several European federations, including England’s and Italy’s, have withdrawn their backing for Infantino since the collapse of his proposal. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and North America’s CONCACAF have called for change at the top of FIFA and are seeking a credible alternative before the March election.
Diallo said France’s decision formed part of a broader movement within UEFA and beyond and that discussions would now focus on governance reform and finding a candidate capable of defeating Infantino. You also have to make proposals,” Diallo said. He added that UEFA would need to define a platform for the next FIFA leadership cycle and, when the time came, choose a candidate for the election.
Infantino still has the support of South America’s CONMEBOL and Africa’s CAF. The FIFA presidential election will take place in Rabat on March 18, 2027, with the deadline for candidacies on November 18.
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