[Gianni Infantino Scheduled for High‑Stakes FIFA Council Meeting Amid Controversy]
Gianni Infantino will be examined by FIFA council members concerning his role in the defunct World Cup transfer saga, the FoleyBalogun incident, and the controversial decision to present Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. The meeting, expected to be fiery, is set to take place at the federation’s headquarters on Thursday.
Following summer appeals for an extraordinary general meeting amid fears the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposals had undermined council authority, Infantino will address criticism for the first time since Zurich. One participant anticipates that negotiations could become explosive.
Leaders of UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Conference—Aleksander Ceferin, Victor Montagliani and Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim al‑Khalifa—have repeatedly pressed Infantino to step down, demanding an independent audit of its governance structures.
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Infantino replied to correspondence from Ceferin, Montagliani and Salman submitted last month, promising to commission an external review of FIFA’s future governance; however, concrete details have not yet arrived and independence doubts persist.
Beyond the FFE proposal, issues include the Balogun matter and the Peace Prize placed on FIFA’s agenda last month. Infantino is also due to answer inquiries regarding a Times report claiming he received a “second salary” of approximately £1.3 million in 2024 on top of the £3.9 million previously declared in FIFA’s accounts.
U.S. Internal Revenue Service disclosures reveal that a FIFA subsidiary managing last summer’s World Cup event paid Infantino $1.76 million—a sum omitted from FIFA’s annual report, where his remuneration is listed as 4.27 million Swiss francs (£3.88 million).
According to FIFA statutes, the president’s personal compensation must be disclosed. The organization denies misconduct.
“FIFA does not award a second salary to its president and complies with all compensation reporting obligations,” stated FIFA. “The president’s yearly earnings and related benefits are determined by the independent compensation subcommittee.”
“FIFA unequivocally rejects allegations that it has failed to disclose financial matters or breached its own rules. Accountability is upheld through independent audits, and all declarations align with tax regulations in Switzerland, the United States and elsewhere.”
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Despite ongoing disputes and opposition from confederations across Europe, Asia and the Americas, Infantino proceeds toward re‑election without contest in the March vote.
Monaglin has opposed calls for him to run against Infantino prioritizing Consecrative presidenthip, prompting concern among rivals. FIFA and UEFA have vaged candidates following tentative outreach to figures such as Arsène Wenger and Michele Kang, who oversees clubs including the London City Lionesses.
Candidates must declare intentions by 18 November, aligning with the March FIFA congress scheduled for Rabat.
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