French Federation Calls for FIFA Governance Overhaul After Dropping Infantino Support

France’s football authorities have called for a far-reaching examination of FIFA governance after the French Football Federation withdrew its support for president Gianni Infantino. The FFF said Thursday that it wants to consult across the game on proposals intended to restore confidence and strengthen transparency at world football’s governing body, according to reporting by BBC Sport.

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The French federation’s decision followed controversy over Infantino’s abandoned proposal to sell stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. France had announced its support for Infantino in June, before that investment proposal became public. The FFF said a project with such major implications for football’s future required comprehensive information, detailed consultation and a fully transparent decision-making process.

France joins the football associations of England, Italy, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland in withdrawing support for Infantino over the plan. The proposal also drew opposition beyond those national bodies. UEFA threatened a boycott of all FIFA competitions, while UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf have called for Infantino to leave his position, the BBC reported.

Infantino continues to have backing from the South American confederation Conmebol and the Confederation of African Football. FIFA has confirmed that he will seek a fourth term in the presidential election scheduled for March. The contrasting positions among the confederations leave his leadership supported in some regions while facing explicit challenges from others.

Although Infantino dropped the private-investment proposal, the FFF said the underlying governance matter could not be regarded as settled. Federation president Philippe Diallo said FIFA’s governance did not meet the standards represented by football. The French body has therefore pledged to begin consultations with confederations, national associations, players, supporters and governance specialists.

According to the FFF, those discussions are intended to produce proposals for a broad transformation of how FIFA is governed. It said the process should focus on rebuilding trust, improving transparency, and ensuring the governing body’s independence and conduct. The federation, which noted its status as a founding member of FIFA, described the debate as important to football’s future, regulation and development.