UEFA Leaders Question Infantino’s Leadership Despite Apology to FIFA Council

Posted : 16 October 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains under pressure from senior European football officials despite apologising to the FIFA Council over a controversial proposal to sell part of the organisation’s commercial rights to private investors. The dispute intensified after a three-and-a-half-hour council meeting in Zurich on Thursday, October 15, failed to resolve several outstanding concerns.

The controversy centres on the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a plan that would have transferred part of FIFA’s commercial rights to a private investment firm. Infantino abandoned the proposal within days of its emergence but faced criticism for failing to consult the council before pursuing the initiative.

English Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, who also serves as a FIFA vice-president, said the meeting had not provided the answers she and other officials had requested. She insisted that Infantino must release the relevant documents and explain the decisions surrounding the abandoned project.

Hewitt questioned whether Infantino remained suitable to lead FIFA if he failed to address the concerns. She also said his apology had not changed her position on his leadership.

German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf also expressed dissatisfaction with FIFA’s handling of the matter. European officials want greater transparency and accountability, with some calling for a wider review of the organisation’s administrative structure.

The meeting covered other contentious issues, including the reversal of United States forward Folarin Balogun’s automatic suspension following his red card at the 2026 World Cup. Officials also raised questions about the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to US President Donald Trump and the management of funding for national associations.

The criticism comes as Infantino prepares to seek another term as FIFA president in the March 2027 election. Although he remains a strong contender, opposition figures in Europe are exploring potential alternatives.

Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has emerged as one possible candidate discussed by senior European football figures. However, it remains unclear whether he would leave his current position as FIFA’s chief of global football development to challenge his superior.

Other names have circulated in discussions about a possible alternative, but no clear challenger has emerged.

Infantino, who became FIFA president in 2016, continues to enjoy support from several football associations outside Europe. African representatives have backed his leadership, pointing to increased funding and investment in football development across the continent.

That support highlights the divisions within FIFA as the election approaches. While critics are demanding stronger governance and greater transparency, Infantino’s supporters argue that his administration has expanded opportunities and resources for member associations.

The dispute now presents a significant challenge for FIFA’s leadership. Infantino must address questions about decision-making and accountability while seeking to maintain confidence among the officials responsible for determining his political future.

UEFA Leaders Question Infantino’s Leadership Despite Apology to FIFA Council

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