FIFA confirms Gianni Infantino will remain president after meeting

FIFA confirmed that Gianni Infantino will remain president after a meeting of its senior executives in Rabat. In a statement, it revealed that Infantino sent written apologies to FIFA council and the 211 member associations for failing to consult them over the World Cup sell-off, affirming that he retains the full support of his leadership team. Infantino held discussions with FIFA’s general secretary, Mattias Grafström, and chief legal officer, Emilio García Silvero, emphasizing his determination to continue in the role despite criticism from UEFA and the North American confederation Concacaf. Both organizations have called for a review of FIFA’s governance.

FIFA's statement indicated that after the meeting in Rabat, the secretary general and management board members reaffirmed their support for Infantino, as he is the only official elected by the 211 FIFA member associations. Infantino, in return, reiterated his full support for the FIFA secretary general and the FIFA administration, acknowledging the need for continuous improvement in the interactions that support his vision. The outcomes of the meeting are expected to strengthen FIFA’s governance and help restore confidence in the organization as it prepares for future major events.

Despite acknowledging Infantino's apology for his role in the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, FIFA stated that it will not tolerate further criticisms of its governance. UEFA is actively seeking a candidate to oppose Infantino in the upcoming presidential election next March, which is also set to take place in Rabat. The statement acknowledged that mistakes were made and it was agreed that the FIFA council and member associations should not feel excluded from processes, committing to a review and reporting back to the FIFA council at their next scheduled meeting.

With the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal now off the table, the organization emphasized that it will no longer accept attacks on its integrity or governance and will take necessary measures to protect its reputation. It acknowledged that, while mistakes occurred, everything was done in compliance with FIFA's regulatory framework. FIFA intends to work closely with stakeholders to enhance its support for the development of the game through the FIFA Forward program for the benefit of its member associations, confederations, and regional associations. Infantino and Grafström appeared together at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations game between Malawi and Zambia, demonstrating solidarity amid these challenges.