‘If He Is Gone’—Donald Trump Fires Warning at Power Bloc Moving Against FIFA’s Gianni Infantino

Donald Trump has claimed FIFA risks “making a terrible mistake” if Gianni Infantino, under immense pressure and scrutiny following a failed attempt to launch the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) that intended to sell stakes in future World Cups, is replaced as president.

“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!”

The strong relationship between Trump and Infantino is no secret. FIFA’s president has even been urged to answer questions on the nature of their bond and whether it has had an unfair influence on Infantino in his role.

Infantino has maintained public support from FIFA itself after convening an emergency meeting in Morocco, although even that drew criticism given that only FIFA’s management committee and senior staff employed by the governing body were invited to attend—not elected FIFA Council members or any member associations. That meeting ensured he stayed president.

Infantino hoped Morocco would be the end of it.

UEFA, AFC, Concacaf Hold Enough Power to Remove FIFA President

Gianni Infantino in Colombia — Infantino has attempted to brush off the controversy. | Jaime SALDARRIAGA/AFP/Getty Images

A FIFA statement hoping to draw a line under the saga said the governing body “will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.”

Infantino has retained support from some national federations, including Argentina, as well as the African confederation—CAF.

However, on Monday, UEFA, AFC and Concacaf jointly accused the president of “deception” and breaking trust. Infantino had issued an apology of sorts for the FFE mess, but regarding the “process” rather than the idea itself.

UEFA, AFC and Concacaf viewed it as more than a mere oversight, rather deliberately covert: “A proposal advanced on a compressed timeline, without meaningful consultation, and pushed toward a deadline before Member Associations could properly review its terms is not the product of an oversight—it is the product of a design intended to limit scrutiny.”

In their eyes, there was no acknowledgement from Infantino and FIFA in the response that the “proposal itself was inherently wrong.” It was, they say, “a profound failure of judgment” and a “fundamental breach of trust with the very institutions FIFA exists to serve.”

What is important is that, collectively, the three confederations representing Europe, Asia and North, Central America and the Caribbean, hold enough voting power to oust Infantino in the event of a vote of no confidence—a 106-vote majority out of 211 FIFA members gets rid of him, while only 43 need to support a motion to trigger that ballot. There are 136 within these three confederations—although Mexico has gone against the wider Concacaf stance to support Infantino.

BBC Sport cites sources familiar with the situation to suggest this moment is being offered as an “opportunity” for Infantino to resign and walk away with “dignity” prior to any formal process. If he is forcibly removed from office, his legacy automatically becomes one of disgrace.

U.S. Soccer Not Aligned With Trump, White House

Donald Trump — The United States Soccer Federation is not following the White House line. | Schwartz/CNP/BloombergGetty Images

U.S. Soccer has fallen in line with Concacaf’s position on the matter, jointly with Canada Soccer, the Caribbean Football Union and the Central American Football Union calling for “meaningful change that strengthens FIFA’s governance, transparency and accountability.”

But there is a clear divide in America over this issue. Prior to Trump’s comments on Infantino’s future, an unnamed White House official made clear the administration’s support.

“Gianni helped us a lot to deliver the best World Cup ever. The president likes him a lot. I am sure the president will do everything possible to help him,” that senior figure said last week. “I don’t think the president will change his mind on him, because he is a loyal person. Gianni really delivered the World Cup for the United States. We value that.”

The credit that Trump and the White House gives Infantino, does not belong to one single person, says UEFA, AFC and Concacaf, instead due to the “thousands of people who dedicate their lives to the game” at every level of FIFA, the confederations and the member associations.

Add us as a preferred source on Google