Politics1 min read

FIFA’s Infantino ineligible for re-election, says former governance chief

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Miguel Maduro has challenged Gianni Infantino's eligibility to run again by pointing directly to Article 33, paragraph two of the FIFA statutes. The confrontation hinges on whether Infantino's first mandate between 2016 and 2019 should be exempt from the strict three-term limit. Human rights group FairSquare has escalated the campaign by contacting dozens of national federations ahead of the 2027 election deadline. However, Infantino continues to hold significant political backing across the 211 voting member associations, including recent support from Asian football leadership.

Key points

  • Disagreements over statutory interpretation are mounting ahead of the candidacy submissio…: Disagreements over statutory interpretation are mounting ahead of the candidacy submission deadline for the March 2027 election.
  • Miguel Maduro warned that FIFA's internal checks and balances have deteriorated, leaving…: Miguel Maduro warned that FIFA's internal checks and balances have deteriorated, leaving leadership accountability severely compromised.
  • Gianni Infantino maintains a strong grip on power across global football associations des…: Gianni Infantino maintains a strong grip on power across global football associations despite external pressure to enforce term restrictions.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Miguel Maduro insists Gianni Infantino cannot serve more than three terms, pointing to FIFA’s statutes.

Gianni Infantino cannot stand for a fourth term as FIFA president in 2027 under the body’s statutes, says Miguel Maduro, the former head of FIFA’s governance committee, as the chief of global football’s governing body seeks re-election.

“Article 33, paragraph two of the FIFA statutes is very clear when it says no person may serve as president for more than three terms,” Maduro told reporters on Tuesday.

“Gianni Infantino has been elected three times, he’s been president of FIFA for three terms. So in my view, there’s no way to reconcile another presidency of Infantino.”

Maduro’s comments came two weeks before FIFA’s deadline for submitting candidacies for the presidential election in March 2027.

With the cutoff date looming, human rights organisation FairSquare has written to member associations urging them to declare him ineligible.

FairSquare had previously urged FIFA to rule that Infantino is ineligible to seek another term as president, arguing he has already served the maximum three terms permitted under the body’s statutes.

But…

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