The Swiss Football Association (SFV) has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president ahead of next year's election. This decision comes amid growing opposition from European football associations to Infantino's leadership. The SFV's move is significant, given that Infantino is Swiss and both FIFA and UEFA are headquartered in Switzerland. The association's executive board met on Friday to make the decision.
Infantino's proposal to create a commercial subsidiary to manage FIFA's major events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, had received global condemnation. The proposal would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in a company created under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. However, it was subsequently shelved due to backlash. The SFV cited recent developments that raised fundamental questions about leadership, governance, transparency, and decision-making at FIFA.
SFV president Peter Knäbel emphasized that Swiss football expects FIFA's leadership to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and institutional responsibility. While Infantino's recent proposal for consultations with national associations on FIFA governance reform was seen as a positive step, key questions about the background, responsibilities, and decision-making processes remained unanswered. Knäbel stated that without convincing clarification on these issues, the SFV cannot justify continuing to support Infantino's candidacy.
The SFV's decision does not represent a withdrawal from constructive cooperation with FIFA or the wider international football community. As the association for the country where FIFA and UEFA are based, the SFV feels a special responsibility to champion transparency, credible and reliable structures, and rules-based decision-making processes. The association called for a strong and united global football community based on integrity.
UEFA, the European governing body, has emerged as a strong center of opposition to Infantino's leadership, with several major European associations withdrawing or questioning their support. Despite this growing opposition, Infantino retains support from Saudi Arabia, hosts of the 2034 World Cup, as well as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American football's governing body CONMEBOL.
Candidates for the FIFA presidency must submit their nominations by November 18. Infantino is currently the only declared candidate. The SFV's decision highlights the challenges Infantino faces in securing support for his re-election bid. The Swiss FA's move may influence other associations to reconsider their support for Infantino.
The withdrawal of support from the Swiss Football Association adds to the growing list of concerns for Infantino as he seeks a fourth presidential term. The SFV's emphasis on transparency, accountability, and institutional responsibility reflects the expectations of many in the football community. As the election approaches, Infantino will need to address these concerns to secure the necessary support for his re-election bid.
Key points
- The Swiss Football Association withdraws support for Gianni Infantino's FIFA presidential bid due to concerns over leadership, governance, and transparency.
