The French Football Federation (FFF), through the voice of its president Philippe Diallo, has officially announced that it is withdrawing its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Initially convinced by the Italian-Swiss leader’s bid to succeed himself ahead of the FIFA presidential election, due to be held on 18th March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco, Diallo explained that “from July onwards, the reasons that led us (the FFF) to support his candidacy have been overturned” and that the conditions for that support “were no longer met”.

These conditions were primarily undermined by Infantino’s plan to privatise the World Cup, which, according to the FFF president, was “carried out without any consultation or information”.

Explaining that he had opposed the proposal “both in form and substance” and welcoming the fact that “pressure exerted by several confederations had led to the withdrawal of this proposal”, Diallo stated that the FFF considered “that trust has been broken”.

“The way in which world football is being run no longer reflects our values. That is why, by a unanimous decision of its members, the FFF has decided to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for the FIFA presidency. Our position is clear and forms part of a wider movement within UEFA.”

“We have a historical right to intervene; France is one of FIFA’s founding members. We also have a sporting right to do so: for the past 10 years, France has been one of the top three nations in the FIFA rankings.”

Concluding his remarks by explaining that it was not enough simply to criticise, but that proposals must also be put forward, Diallo stated that “at the next UEFA Executive Committee meeting in a few days’ time, a framework for our contribution must be established to determine what we want to achieve after early March regarding the leadership of FIFA. And to select the candidate who will represent us in this election.”