Swiss Football Federation withdraws its support from Gianni Infantino after the Balogun affair

In the offices of the Swiss Football Federation, a heavy silence hung when an official statement was released, announcing the withdrawal of support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for the FIFA presidency. This decision, taken after the Balogun affair and the Forward Enterprise case, marks an unexpected break between the world leader and his home country.

Official withdrawal of support

The central council of the SFV said it no longer saw a future with Gianni Infantino at the helm of FIFA. The statement, posted on the federation’s official website, notes that support had been given in June 2026, but is now withdrawn.

Peter Käbel, president of the Swiss Football Federation, emphasized that FIFA’s leadership must adhere to the highest standards of transparency and institutional accountability. “The Swiss Football Federation expects FIFA’s leadership to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability and institutional responsibility,” he said.

Käbel acknowledged that the measures announced by FIFA in its September 21 letter could lead to improvements, but he added that important questions regarding responsibilities and decision‑making processes remain unanswered.

He concluded: “Important questions regarding responsibilities and decision‑making processes remain unanswered. Since these have not been clarified convincingly, we cannot continue to assume responsibility for supporting Gianni Infantino’s candidacy.”

This decision is more than a simple withdrawal of support; it leaves Gianni Infantino, 56, without his country’s backing, while he remains the sole official candidate for the FIFA presidency, with the possibility of new candidacies until November 18.