Swiss FA withdraws support for FIFA chief Gianni Infantino

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election, marking a significant setback for the FIFA chief. The federation reversed its position on September 25 during an executive committee meeting, despite having expressed support for Infantino's candidacy just three months earlier in June.

The SFV cited a "comprehensive reassessment of developments over the past few months" for the reversal. In its statement, the federation raised concerns about "fundamental questions regarding leadership, governance, transparency and decision-making processes within FIFA." The decision follows months of criticism directed at Infantino after he proposed a plan to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments to private investors. Though Infantino wrote a letter to member associations this month to mend relations, the Swiss body stated that FIFA's decision-making process and duties had not been "convincingly clarified." The SFV concluded: "we cannot justify continuing to support Gianni Infantino's candidacy."

Infantino has served as FIFA president since 2016. The withdrawal of support from a prominent European federation represents a major challenge to his re-election prospects amid growing questions about FIFA's governance and commercial direction.