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    Unanimous Withdrawal by the FFF Executive Committee

    At a scheduled meeting on the afternoon of Thursday, 10 September, the French Football Federation’s executive committee cast a unanimous vote to retract its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to retain the FIFA presidency, a move that coincides with mounting international criticism of his proposed strategy to divest ownership stakes in the World Cup tournament. The FFF had previously upheld a campaign supporting Infantino in prior elections, making this reversal a notable shift in French football politics.[1]

    The Root of the Rift: World Cup Stake Sale Proposal

    The central trigger for the FFF's decision lies in Infantino’s controversial plan to sell shares in the World Cup—an approach aimed at increasing commercial revenue but perceived by several stakeholders as undermining the tournament’s sporting integrity. French officials expressed apprehension over the erosion of national football identity, while critics argue that the sale could concentrate power in wealthy corporate hands, recreating a similar model Infantino had previously criticized.[1]

    Implications for Infantino’s Re‑Election Campaign and FIFA Governance

    The withdrawal could force Infantino to either abandon his re‑election push, seek support from other continental federations, or modify his stance on the World Cup commercialization. Analysts note that a loss of backing from a major footballing nation like France may further expose cracks in Infantino’s coalition, especially as other European federations have signaled caution about his reform agenda. Moreover, the decision underscores broader concerns over FIFA’s governance style and the balance between commercial interests and sporting values.[1]

    Version and update history
    1. Version 1 · — Initial source-grounded generation