Philippe Diallo and the French Football Federation have announced their decision to withdraw backing for FIFA president Gianni Infantino ahead of the March 18 presidential election in Rabat, Morocco. The move marks a significant shift in European opposition to Infantino's re-election bid and reflects growing criticism over governance and controversial decisions.
France Joins European Coalition Against Infantino
The French Federation's executive committee will formally reject Infantino on Thursday, aligning France with the broader European Union front seeking his removal. Diallo, who sits on the UEFA executive committee, cited authoritarian leadership and questionable financial arrangements as core reasons for the withdrawal. His decision follows weeks of mounting pressure from fellow European federations, with dozens now opposing the incumbent.
Diallo levelled specific accusations in a statement to L'Équipe, pointing to multiple governance failures under Infantino's tenure. He highlighted the controversial sale of World Cup stakes to private funds linked to figures close to Donald Trump, the expansion proposal from 48 to 64 teams, and the contentious cancellation of a red card given to Balogun—allegedly at Trump's request. The French federation president also criticised the inequitable distribution of World Cup revenues to national teams.
Core Issues Driving the Split
- Private investment in World Cup rights raising transparency concerns
- Red card reversal for Balogun triggering questions about external influence
- Tournament expansion plans viewed as commercially driven rather than competitive
- Revenue distribution models deemed unfair to federations
Diallo stated: "Many events have recently occurred that have deviated from the essence of the game... There must be a comprehensive review of this system, which is not commensurate with the importance of football." His public break reflects deeper tensions within European football governance, where UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has intensified pressure to unseat Infantino. As a UEFA committee member, Diallo's alignment with Čeferin's efforts carries strategic weight in the coming weeks.
The March 18 election in Morocco will determine whether Infantino secures another term or faces challenge from alternative candidates. France's withdrawal represents one of the most consequential endorsement losses for the FIFA president, potentially accelerating the formation of a unified European voting bloc that could reshape international football administration for years to come.
