**French Football Federation Withdraws Support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino Ahead of Upcoming Election**
The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially retracted its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election campaign as FIFA President, a decision that reflects growing discontent with his leadership. FFF President Philippe Diallo announced the unanimous decision of the federation's executive committee on Thursday, stating that trust in Infantino has been irrevocably damaged.
Diallo emphasized that the manner in which FIFA is currently being run does not align with the FFF's vision for the future of world football. "The trust placed in the FIFA president has been broken," he told reporters. This statement underscores the federation's shift in stance, particularly following Infantino's controversial proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. This plan was abandoned in July amid significant backlash from various regional football confederations.
Initially, the FFF had supported Infantino's candidacy when he was the sole declared candidate in late June. However, Diallo indicated that subsequent developments had fundamentally altered the situation, leading to the withdrawal of support. "The conditions for our support for his candidacy were no longer there," he remarked, highlighting concerns over the governance and decision-making processes within FIFA.
The FFF's decision is part of a broader trend among European football federations, with several, including those from England and Italy, also retracting their support for Infantino following the collapse of his stake sale proposal. This movement has gained traction among UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and North America’s CONCACAF, all of which are advocating for leadership change at FIFA and seeking credible alternatives ahead of the election.
Diallo noted that the FFF's stance aligns with a collective desire for governance reform within FIFA. "It is not enough simply to criticize if you want things to move forward. You also have to make proposals," he stated. He emphasized the necessity for UEFA to establish a clear platform for the next FIFA leadership cycle and to identify a candidate capable of challenging Infantino's presidency.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in Rabat on March 18, 2027, with the deadline for candidacies set for November 18 of this year. Despite the growing opposition from European federations, Infantino continues to retain support from South America’s CONMEBOL and Africa’s CAF, indicating a divided landscape within global football governance.
As the election approaches, the FFF and other federations are expected to intensify discussions on potential candidates and governance reforms, aiming to present a united front against Infantino's re-election bid.