The Swiss Football Association (ASF) has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, criticising concerns over the organisation’s leadership, governance and transparency.
The decision is a significant setback for Infantino, who was born in Switzerland and whose FIFA headquarters are based in the country. It also represents an unprecedented break with the governing body’s president from the national association in his country of birth.
The ASF’s central committee announced the change in an official statement, reversing its decision in June to support the Italian-Swiss candidate in the forthcoming presidential election.
The association said it had acted “after a comprehensive reassessment of developments over the past few months”. It added: “From our point of view, several events raise fundamental questions about leadership, governance, transparency and decision-making processes within FIFA.”
Among the issues highlighted were “questions concerning the clarity of the rules and the integrity of competitions in the Balogun case”.
That reference concerns Infantino’s decision to overturn the sending-off of an American player before a round-of-16 match at the last World Cup. The intervention prompted widespread debate about the FIFA president’s involvement in sporting and technical decisions.
Swiss association calls for greater accountability
The ASF said credibility, transparency and accountability were essential to restoring confidence in the administration of international football.
“For us, credibility, transparency, accountability and the effective participation of the relevant bodies, as provided for in the statutes, are fundamental conditions for building trust in the management of international football and FIFA’s integrity,” the statement said.
Peter Knabel, president of the Swiss Football Association, said FIFA’s leadership should meet the highest standards of transparency, traceability and institutional accountability.
He added that he “cannot take responsibility for continuing to support Gianni Infantino’s candidacy”.
Despite the criticism contained in its statement, the ASF said it recognised its particular responsibility as the association representing the country where FIFA is headquartered.
It said it would continue to campaign for “transparency, reliable structures, rules-based decision-making processes, and the strengthening of a united and ethical international football community”.
The withdrawal removes a support that carried particular symbolic importance for Infantino’s attempt to remain in charge of FIFA. The Swiss association had previously backed him in June, but now says recent developments have fundamentally changed its position ahead of the next presidential election.
