According to Footmercato, the French Football Federation has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino and is looking for a replacement candidate.
The French Football Federation (FA) is no longer just opposing Gianni Infantino, but also intends to participate in the search for his successor. The FA's executive committee unanimously decided on Thursday to seek an alternative for the FIFA presidential election on March 18, 2027. FA President Philippe Diallo stated, "My colleagues on the executive committee and I believe that the trust in Gianni Infantino has been broken. The current way of governing football is not what we want to see." This represents a significant shift in attitude, as Diallo had supported Infantino's candidacy at the end of June. Several decisions and controversies subsequently strained relations, including the later-abandoned plan to open World Cup equity to private investors.
The French Football Federation (FFF) hopes to consult with governance experts in France and abroad to develop a plan that can unite support against the candidate opposing Infantino. Diallo added, "We have decided to launch a series of consultations to contribute to UEFA's thinking and come up with a legitimate and consensus-building plan. When the time is right, we will then determine our candidate for the next election." The FFF plans to communicate with Kevin Lamour, the former FIFA No. 3, who was dismissed this summer for criticizing Infantino. The FFF will also communicate with academics, international organizations, and figures in the football community. Arsène Wenger, the current FIFA Director of Global Football Development, is also among the potential participants. However, time is running out; FIFA presidential candidates must submit their applications by November 18th.
