The football associations of Argentina and Mexico have expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino following FIFA's apology for a failed commercial rights proposal.
Key facts
- •FIFA apologized for mistakes regarding a failed plan to sell up to 20% of a subsidiary valued at $20 billion.
- •The AFA and FMF expressed support for Infantino’s leadership and institutional governance.
- •The NFF called for Infantino's resignation, citing a complete loss of trust.
- •UEFA stated that its conditions for ending a proposed boycott of FIFA competitions have not been met.
- •Regional bodies CONMEBOL and CONCACAF previously expressed concerns over the proposal's lack of transparency.
The football associations of Argentina and Mexico have publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, diverging from regional governing bodies that criticized his leadership. This support follows FIFA's apology for mistakes made during a failed proposal to sell stakes in the commercial rights of competitions, including the World Cup. While FIFA has withdrawn the plan, the move has sparked varying reactions among member associations and international football organizations.
By the numbers
Support for FIFA Leadership
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued an open letter praising Infantino’s decade of leadership, citing his focus on global football development and institutional strength. AFA President Claudio Tapia stated the association supports continuing under Infantino to foster more inclusive football. Similarly, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) voiced its support, emphasizing the importance of institutional procedures and respect for governance. The FMF stated it would not approve any processes conducted outside of FIFA’s official framework.
Divergent Views and Ongoing Pressure
The support from Argentina and Mexico contrasts with concerns raised by their respective regional governing bodies, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, regarding a lack of dialogue and unilateral decision-making. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has called for Infantino’s resignation, with President Lise Klaveness stating the federation has lost all trust in his leadership. Additionally, UEFA indicated that its conditions for lifting a proposed boycott of FIFA competitions remain unmet, despite the withdrawal of the proposal and FIFA's subsequent apology.
Timeline
- WednesdayFIFA issued an apology for mistakes related to the commercial rights proposal.
- ThursdayArgentina and Mexico expressed support for Infantino, while UEFA stated boycott conditions were not met.
- FridayThe Norwegian Football Federation called for the resignation of the FIFA president.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Anadolu Agency Sport, Anadolu Agency Sport.
