FIFA: A Vice President Withdraws Support for Gianni Infantino Amid New Internal Crisis

Wednesday 19 August 2026 - 14:22

The dissent surrounding Gianni Infantino is gaining traction within FIFA. Sandor Csanyi, one of the vice presidents of the global governing body and president of the Hungarian Football Federation, announced that he no longer supports the Italian-Swiss leader, criticizing several decisions made under his presidency.

This stance comes just days after the departure of Kevin Lamour, a senior French FIFA official and critic of the plan to open global football to private investors.

Csanyi Claims to Have Lost Trust in Infantino

In a letter addressed to Gianni Infantino, Sandor Csanyi states that he has "lost the trust previously placed" in the FIFA president.

The Hungarian official specifically criticizes the leadership of the organization for making certain decisions that he believes were driven more by political considerations than by the interests of football.

He cites several choices surrounding the 2026 World Cup as well as the plan to allow private investors into FIFA.

For Csanyi, the way this project was prepared represents a major point of disagreement. He believes that the plan was developed without the FIFA Council being properly informed.

Kevin Lamour's Departure as a Triggering Element

The breakdown of trust has intensified with the announced departure of Kevin Lamour, FIFA's Chief Operations Officer.

The French official oversaw several important sectors of the organization, including legal affairs, communications, and human resources. His dismissal has drawn significant attention as he was one of the most critical officials regarding the plan to open up to private capital.

At the end of July, Lamour publicly denounced what he considered to be an initiative driven primarily by one person. He also called on international football leaders to take responsibility regarding this project.

His departure is now presented by Sandor Csanyi as the tipping point in his own relationship with Gianni Infantino.

An Organized Opposition Before 2027

This new dissent comes just months before the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. Gianni Infantino is a candidate for re-election, but several recent statements indicate that his governance is now the subject of a more open debate within the organization.

The withdrawal of support from Csanyi is particularly significant given his position on the FIFA Council. This is not merely an external critique: it comes from a leader directly integrated into the governance structures of global football.

This development could complicate Infantino's strategy as the election approaches if other officials were to adopt a similar stance.

The Private Investors Project at the Center of Tensions

The plan to open FIFA to private investors is one of the main points of friction. The initiative, ultimately abandoned, raised concerns about governance and the financial independence of the organization.

For its detractors, the issue goes beyond simple financing for FIFA. It concerns how strategic decisions are made and the role that Council members should play in these choices.

The succession of criticisms surrounding this issue could leave lasting marks, even after the project has been abandoned.