The arbitration group FairSquare asked the FIFA Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee on Monday to declare Gianni Infantino ineligible to stand for the presidential election next year, stating that a fourth term would be against the statutes.
The non-profit organisation lodged its complaint to the committee on 13 August and claimed Infantino has served his maximum three presidential terms prescribed in FIFA rules. Infantino became president in 2016 and is so far the only declared candidate.
FIFA ruled in 2022 that Infantino’s first term in office, 2016-2019, should not be counted. This was due to the contention that Infantino, serving the rest of Sepp Blatter’s completed and interrupted mandate, was not given a full presidential term.
FairSquare rejected FIFA’s claim, maintaining that the rules do not create exceptions for shortened terms or the possibility of being elected at an Extraordinary Congress.
“The FIFA Statutes neither themselves nor the FIFA Governance Regulations provide for any such eventuality for the counting of presidential terms”, said FairSquare in a letter to the committee.
The organisation also condemned FIFA for not releasing the committee report that recommended the 2022 decision be enforced.
In recent months Infantino’s presidency has received more criticism, as UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also questioned the present FIFA administration.
If it proves successful, FairSquare’s claim could bar Infantino from running for a fourth term and possibly set the stage for a dramatic shake-up in the organisation.
