The non-profit human rights organization FairSquare has called for Gianni Infantino to be barred from running for re-election as president of FIFA, the international football federation, citing a breach of term limits, according to infohub.kz.
As noted in the publication, the organization points out that Infantino's stated intention to run for a fourth term contradicts the statutes: according to the rules, a president may serve no more than three terms. However, in 2022, the FIFA Council ruled that Infantino's tenure from 2016 to 2019 (his first term) should not be counted, as he was allegedly completing the interrupted term of Joseph Blatter.
FairSquare argues that this term must be counted, as there can be no exceptions in this matter.
After the 2026 World Cup, Infantino posted a message suggesting that critics of the tournament should meditate and pray. The tournament's biggest scandal was the delayed red card for US striker Folarin Balogun, reportedly at the request of US President Donald Trump. Infantino insisted that the disciplinary decision was independent.
Shortly after the World Cup, Infantino announced plans to sell part of the rights to outside investors, which drew backlash from the football community and threats to boycott the 2030 World Cup. The Union of European Football Associations was the first to voice opposition. Amid severe criticism, FIFA dropped the idea.