FIFA Re-election Row: Former Governance Chief Claims Infantino Is Ineligible

A significant legal challenge has emerged regarding Gianni Infantino’s plans to remain at the head of world football. Miguel Maduro, the former chairman of FIFA’s governance committee, has publicly stated that the current president is ineligible to run for another term in the 2027 election, citing the organization's own internal rules.

The dispute centers on Article 33 of the FIFA statutes, which restricts any individual to a maximum of three terms in the presidency. While Infantino is preparing for a fourth stint, Maduro insists that the wording of the law provides no room for interpretation or exceptions for those who started their leadership mid-cycle.

"Article 33, paragraph two of the FIFA statutes is very clear when it says no person may serve as president for more than three terms."

Miguel Maduro

The Term Limit Debate

Infantino first took office in 2016 following the resignation of Sepp Blatter. The FIFA Council previously decided in late 2022 that this initial period did not count as a full term because it was an interrupted mandate. However, Maduro, a Portuguese lawyer who left FIFA in 2017 after a dispute involving the blocking of Vitaly Mutko from a committee seat, argues that the statutes do not distinguish between full and partial terms.

With the deadline for presidential candidacies only two weeks away, the human rights group FairSquare has begun lobbying member associations to block Infantino’s bid. The organization has reportedly contacted over 50 associations, urging them to uphold the governance rules. Nicholas McGeehan, co-founder of FairSquare, indicated that they are seeking support from officials in Norway to set a precedent for other nations.

"But other associations also need to step up, it can’t always be left to the Norwegians to insist on basic rules."

Nicholas McGeehan

Despite these objections, Infantino remains in a powerful political position. He recently secured the backing of Asian football leadership, and his support across various confederations suggests he maintains a strong grip on the majority of FIFA's 211 voting members. Maduro, however, warns that a "climate of fear" and a lack of independent oversight have allowed the presidency to bypass effective accountability.