Swiss federation pulls support amid Infantino’s World Cup controversy

The Fédération suisse de football (FSF) has formally withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the 56‑year‑old Swiss official. The decision was taken at a recent meeting, the federation said, amid growing criticism of Infantino’s leadership of world football.

International fallout

Infantino’s push to commercialise the Coupe du monde has drawn sharp rebuke, especially after a reported phone call with Donald Trump concerning the red card shown to Folarin Balogun during the tournament. UEFA announced a boycott, and several other national federations have publicly denounced the president’s actions.

The FSF explained that a ‘thorough re‑examination of recent events’ led to the withdrawal. ‘From the perspective of the Fédération suisse de football, various incidents raise fundamental questions about leadership, governance, transparency and decision‑making within FIFA,’ the federation wrote. It added that concerns include rule clarity and competitive integrity in the Balogun case, as well as institutional responsibility linked to FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The Swiss federation’s break with its own president underscores the widening rift within world football, signalling that criticism is no longer confined to external bodies but now emanates from Infantino’s home nation as well.