Ceferin rules out FIFA presidency bid as Infantino resists calls to quit
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out running for FIFA president, while Gianni Infantino faces growing calls to resign over his failed World Cup sell-off plan.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of the race to replace Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, saying his credibility would be damaged if he were seen to be chasing the job. Speaking to Alistair Campbell, Ceferin said he loved his current role and that staying out of the contest gave him more authority in the fight against Infantino's leadership.
Ceferin's decision comes as Infantino faces mounting pressure over his failed attempt to sell off a stake in the World Cup to private investors. The FIFA president was tracked down by reporters in the Dominican Republic, where he was attending a youth tournament, but refused to answer questions about his future, instead making jokes about hairdressers and hairstyles.
The head of CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani, had asked Infantino not to attend the tournament, saying his presence would undermine the event. Montagliani, who is seen as a potential challenger, dodged questions about whether he would stand, insisting the focus should be on the football.
Six Nordic football associations have said they have lost confidence in Infantino, joining UEFA and Asian federations in calling for change. Ceferin said Infantino would either have to step down or face a challenger at the FIFA presidential election in March. He also compared the World Cup sell-off plan to the failed Super League project, saying it was even worse because it would effectively sell football itself.
Infantino, meanwhile, has insisted he is happy with the support he has received, and has been seen courting allies including French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. But with nominations for the presidency closing in November, the clock is ticking for any rival to emerge.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceferin predicted Infantino will step down or face a challenger at the March election. | · | · | |
| Ceferin said the FIFA plan to sell competitions is worse than the Super League plan. | · | · | |
| Ceferin stated that 75% of FIFA's revenue comes from Europe. | · | · | |
| Infantino apologised for the process of selling off part of the World Cup, but not the concept. | · | · | |
| Infantino arrived in the Dominican Republic by private jet from Doha. | · | · | |
| Infantino avoided answering questions and made a joke about a reporter's hair. | · | · | |
| Infantino has not explained his plans to invite private money into football. | · | · | |
| Infantino is engaging in shuttle diplomacy to secure a fourth term as FIFA president. | · | · | |
| Infantino says he is happy with the support he is getting from inside FIFA. | · | · | |
| Infantino was asked not to attend a youth tournament in the Dominican Republic. | · | · | |
| Six Nordic football associations have lost confidence over Infantino's decision-making. | · | · | |
| Supporters groups worldwide have petitioned for Infantino's resignation, accusing him of making a mockery of football. | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News focused heavily on tracking down Gianni Infantino in the Dominican Republic and confronting him with questions about his future. Their coverage highlighted his evasive, jokey responses, the CONCACAF letter asking him to stay away from a youth tournament, and the growing list of federations losing confidence in him. The tone was critical, portraying Infantino as an embattled leader out of touch with the mood of football.
- “Why won't you resign? Why won't you resign? Fans, FIFA associations want you to step down.”
- “See you at the hairdresser, he said. He likes a baldy gag.”
- “He's made a mockery of football and has lost the right to lead it.”
BBC News focused on Ceferin's announcement that he would not stand for the FIFA presidency, giving his reasoning directly. The report was concise and factual, presenting Ceferin's comments as the main development without extensive analysis of Infantino's wider troubles.
- “No I'm not interested because of two reasons. One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here and I think that at a certain point you have also I mean it's time also to enjoy life a bit and let's see till when.”
- “And the second point is my credibility is much much much higher if I'm not interested in the position.”
ITV1 provided a broader analysis of the situation, including Ceferin's interview, Infantino's attempts to shore up support, and the threat of a UEFA boycott. The report balanced Ceferin's strong words with the reality that no unifying challenger has yet emerged, and noted that Infantino may still have the numbers to win another term.
- “One option is that he realises that he doesn't have the support and that's not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of football community, the political support of fans. And the second option is that he goes to the elections in March but in that case I think he will have a candidate against him.”
- “But whatever the rhetoric, there is still no unifying candidate to stand against Infantino and remarkably, still, the numbers seem to favour him getting another term.”
Broadcast Timeline
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