Former Fifa chair warns of ‘climate of fear’ hindering challenges to Infantino's re-election

Former FIFA chair Miguel Maduro remarked that a "climate of fear" might hinder national associations from contesting Gianni Infantino's eligibility for a fourth term as FIFA president. This assertion comes amid Infantino's planned re-election campaign in March 2027. Maduro, who was appointed to the FIFA governance committee by Infantino in 2016 during a time aimed at reforming FIFA post-corruption scandals, declared that FIFA's statutes clearly limit presidents to three terms and suggested that national associations should cite this rule to challenge Infantino’s candidacy.

Infantino’s re-election seemed uncertain over the summer when a private investor plan for the World Cup was disclosed—developed without the knowledge of the FIFA Council or national associations. However, he reportedly secured widespread support from associations across Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America as the election approaches. Maduro, dismissed by Infantino in 2017 after he opposed the appointment of Russia's Vitaly Mutko to the FIFA Council, has since collaborated with campaign group FairSquare to draft a letter to FIFA’s governance, audit, and compliance committee, questioning Infantino's re-election eligibility.

Despite his support for FairSquare’s initiative urging national associations to declare Infantino ineligible, Maduro expressed concern that many are reluctant to proceed. "The fact that they are not challenging Infantino’s eligibility tells us a lot about how the climate is one of fear," he stated. Maduro conveyed that any dissent or challenges from FIFA officials could lead to ostracism and loss of influence within the organization.

European associations are also hesitant to oppose Infantino, particularly following their agreement to modify UEFA’s statutes in 2024, which allowed incumbent Aleksander Ceferin to run again next year. Maduro pointed out the contradiction in this context, stating, "It was a very negative change, but the term limit preventing Ceferin from standing again is no longer in the rules. In FIFA’s case, it is in the rules."

FIFA indicated in 2022 that a decision made by the FIFA Council shortly before the World Cup final rendered Infantino’s first three-year term as president null, thus allowing him to re-run in 2027. The committee assigned to determine Infantino's eligibility is led by Bruno Chiomento, who has known Infantino for over two decades. European FIFA Council members have suggested that FIFA consider Chiomento's recusal because of his relationship with Infantino.

Should FIFA’s electoral committee clear Infantino, Maduro noted that national associations could still challenge his eligibility at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) or the Swiss Federal Tribunal. Maduro criticized the effectiveness of FIFA’s checks and balances under Infantino, claiming they are weaker than during Blatter’s presidency, stating Infantino has been left "free to do whatever he wants." He raised concerns about reports of committee members like Chiomento receiving VIP trips to the World Cup, worrying these were at the discretion of Infantino, which could undermine their independence.