The Swiss Football Association (SFV) has officially announced it is withdrawing support for incumbent Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election. This decision follows similar moves by numerous leading European national associations after Infantino sparked widespread controversy in July with a proposal to sell private stakes in major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup.
Impact of the SFV Decision
The SFV’s announcement on Wednesday is particularly significant given that both FIFA and UEFA are headquartered in Switzerland, and Infantino is himself Swiss. The SFV executive board confirmed that during their meeting last Friday, they “decided to withdraw the support it had declared in June 2026 for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for a further term as FIFA president.”
Concerns Over FIFA Governance
- The controversy centers on Infantino’s plan to allow private investors to acquire equity in a company under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. While the backlash forced the proposal to be shelved, deep concerns persist.
- SFV president Peter Knabel emphasized that the governing body demands the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and institutional responsibility from FIFA leadership.
- Knabel stated, “Key questions regarding the background, responsibilities and decision-making processes remain unanswered,” adding, “As these have not been convincingly clarified, we cannot justify continuing to support Gianni Infantino’s candidacy.”
