GENEVA: European Leagues President Claudius Schaefer has questioned Gianni Infantino’s suitability to continue as FIFA president, calling for major reforms at football’s world governing body.
Speaking to The Athletic, Schaefer said European Leagues, which represents 53 professional men’s and women’s football leagues, was increasingly concerned about Infantino’s leadership.
“We question his suitability to continue as president,” Schaefer said, adding that the influence of the FIFA president appeared to have grown significantly over the years.
“Major decisions are taken without meaningful consultation with stakeholders who will be affected,” he said.
Schaefer’s comments come amid growing tensions between FIFA and several football governing bodies over the organisation’s leadership and decision-making process.
The dispute was intensified by FIFA’s now-abandoned proposal to sell part of the commercial rights associated with the World Cup.
Infantino is reportedly facing pressure from three confederations — UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF, which governs football across North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Regional governing bodies have also discussed the possibility of a vote of no confidence against the FIFA president.
Schaefer Raises Concerns Over FIFA’s Integrity
Schaefer also raised concerns over decisions that he believes have affected the credibility and integrity of FIFA.
He pointed to FIFA’s inaugural peace prize, awarded to US President Donald Trump in December, as well as the overturning of a suspension involving American forward Folarin Balogun during this year’s World Cup following a call from Trump.
“FIFA is an association under Swiss law and in this association you have rules. The president and the board members have to perform their duties with care. This is a legal matter,” Schaefer said.
He questioned the decision-making process surrounding the peace prize, arguing that FIFA’s council should have been properly informed.
He also criticised what he described as political intervention in a sporting matter during the World Cup.
“It was a real scandal. I can’t ever recall a political intervention of this kind relating to a sporting matter,” Schaefer said.
“Such acts call the integrity of the game into question. That’s why there is no future at FIFA for Infantino. There can’t be.”
Infantino Expected to Seek Fourth Term
Infantino is expected to seek a fourth term as FIFA president next year and could face stronger opposition.
However, Schaefer said the focus should be on reforming FIFA’s leadership structure rather than simply replacing one president with another.
“For us, getting these reforms is the most important task and they can only happen with another president,” he said.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Schaefer’s remarks.