France's football association FFF withdraws its confidence from Fifa boss Infantino

France's football association FFF is withdrawing its confidence in Fifa boss Gianni Infantino, who is under massive pressure, with a view to the presidential elections in March 2027. The association's executive committee decided this unanimously at the request of its president Philippe Diallo, the FFF announced in Paris. Infantino, who does not yet have an opposing candidate, was originally promised support, but these conditions are no longer met.

The FFF cited Infantino's now withdrawn plans to involve investors for future World Cup deals as the reason. The initiative caused serious damage to the reputation and unity of football. Fifa's leadership structure does not do justice to the importance of football. The FFF suggested a fundamental reform of the global umbrella organization.

After US President Trump contacted Infantino, a one-game ban was suspended for Balogun's expulsion. This allowed the player to play against Belgium in the round of 16. The Belgians still won 4-1. The Belgian players were apparently additionally motivated by one of the biggest scandals in tournament history. “Two months after the events, we realize that our questions remain unanswered to this day,” said RBFA President Pascale Van Damme.

Infantino is also threatened with trouble from other quarters. The human rights organization FairSquare continued its fight against him with another complaint to the ethics committee of the world football association. In this, Infantino is accused of violating the Fifa code of ethics. All incidents are connected to US President Donald Trump, as can be seen from the document, excerpts of which were available to the German Press Agency.

“Taken together, they provide compelling evidence that the FIFA President, at a minimum, abused his power, violated his duty of political neutrality, and breached his duty of loyalty in his efforts to curry favor with the U.S. President,” the complaint states.

Four of the eight incidents were already part of the complaint that FairSquare filed in December 2025 after the widely criticized award of the new FIFA Peace Prize to Trump in the draw for the 2026 World Cup. According to FairSquare, the current complaint now also contains details about Infantino's role in the so-called Balogun affair during the World Cup as well as the failed plans for a highly controversial investor deal to market World Cups.

“The supplementary complaint now filed contains even more serious allegations and, taken as a whole, forms a body of evidence that points to repeated dysfunctions and abuses in the management of football,” the complaint says. As an independent legal body, the ethics commission “must not only act, but also act with the necessary urgency, transparency and consistency,” demanded the human rights organization.

According to FairSquare, the FIFA Ethics Committee only responded to the first complaint with an acknowledgment of receipt of the letter. The organization recently failed with a similar complaint against Infantino to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).