By Sohaib Shams
Former FIFA governance committee chair Miguel Maduro has warned that a "climate of fear" within football's governing body could prevent national associations from challenging Gianni Infantino's eligibility to run for a fourth term as president in March 2027.
Term limit dispute
Maduro, appointed by Infantino in 2016 to help reform FIFA after the Sepp Blatter corruption scandals, argues that FIFA's statutes clearly impose a three-term limit on presidents. He has assisted campaign group FairSquare in drafting a letter to FIFA's governance, audit and compliance committee questioning Infantino's eligibility.
Infantino's position
Despite controversy over a private investor plan for the World Cup developed without the FIFA Council's knowledge, Infantino appears well positioned for re-election. He has secured support from most associations across Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America.
Fear of retaliation
Maduro, who was dismissed by Infantino in 2017 after challenging the appointment of Russia's Vitaly Mutko to the FIFA Council, said many associations are reluctant to act. "Whoever acts on their own and challenges and shows a dissenting voice gets ostracised, gets set aside, loses influence in the framework of power of FIFA," he said.
European hesitation
European associations may also hesitate after UEFA changed its statutes in 2024 to allow incumbent Aleksander Ceferin to stand again. Maduro noted the contradiction but said UEFA at least changed the rule, whereas FIFA's term limit remains in its statutes.
Eligibility ruling
FIFA said in 2022 that a FIFA Council decision discounted Infantino's first three-year term, clearing him to stand in 2027. The committee determining his eligibility for next year's election is chaired by Bruno Chiomento, who has known Infantino for more than 20 years. European FIFA Council members have asked for Chiomento's recusal.
Legal avenues
If FIFA's electoral committee clears Infantino, national associations could still challenge his eligibility at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Swiss Federal Tribunal, Maduro said.
Weakened checks and balances
Maduro believes FIFA's checks and balances are less effective now than under Blatter, arguing Infantino has been left "free to do whatever he wants." He expressed concern over reports that committee members like Chiomento received VIP World Cup trips at the discretion of Infantino or FIFA, saying such perks undermine independence.
