Miguel Maduro, the former chair of FIFA’s governance committee, has issued a stark warning that a pervasive “climate of fear” is preventing national associations from challenging Gianni Infantino’s eligibility for a fourth term as FIFA president. Maduro, who was appointed by Infantino in 2016 to spearhead reforms following the corruption scandals under Sepp Blatter, argues that the three-term limit enshrined in FIFA’s statutes is unambiguous. He asserts that this legal barrier should be actively cited by member associations to block Infantino’s candidacy next year, despite the current political landscape favoring the incumbent.
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Infantino’s position appeared precarious after the revelation of a botched private investor plan for the World Cup, a scheme developed without the knowledge of the FIFA Council or national associations. However, the president has since consolidated his power, securing robust support from the majority of associations in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. This widespread backing has effectively neutralized internal dissent, allowing Infantino to navigate what could have been a significant governance crisis and positioning him as the frontrunner for re-election.
Maduro, who was dismissed by Infantino in 2017 after challenging the appointment of Russia’s Vitaly Mutko to the FIFA Council, is now leading a counter-offensive through the campaign group FairSquare. The group has drafted a formal letter to FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance (GACC) committee questioning Infantino’s legal eligibility to stand again. Maduro is currently urging national associations to ignore political pressure and formally challenge the election process, aiming to restore accountability to a body that has faced repeated scrutiny over its democratic integrity.
Source: Yahoo Sports
