France have become the latest major football nation to turn on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, withdrawing their support for his re-election bid and joining a growing European revolt against his leadership. The French Football Federation [FFF] confirmed on Thursday that it would no longer back Infantino ahead of the FIFA Congress next year, citing concerns over governance, transparency and the direction of world football.
It marks a significant escalation in tensions between UEFA and FIFA, with France now aligning with Germany, England, Spain and the Netherlands who have all expressed doubts in recent months. “We believe that the trust placed in the FIFA president has been betrayed, and that the way in which the governance of world football is envisaged no longer reflects us,” FFF president Philippe Diallo said in a statement.
“That is why, by a unanimous decision of its members, the French Football Federation has decided to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidency.” The breaking point is understood to be Infantino’s plans to expand the Club World Cup and increase FIFA’s commercial control, both of which European associations say were pushed through without proper agreement.
France’s move leaves Infantino facing his biggest challenge since taking office in 2016. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is expected to hold talks with other European FAs this week to coordinate a joint position. Several nations are now exploring putting forward an alternative candidate.