FIFA Vice-President Sándor Csányi said on Aug. 20 [1] that he no longer supports FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The withdrawal of support from a high-ranking official signals growing internal instability within the world governing body of football. Csányi also serves as the president of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ), making his public break from the presidency a significant diplomatic shift.
Csányi cited concerns regarding Infantino’s professional judgment, leadership, and ethical standards [3]. While some reports describe the move as a reaction to a broader pattern of controversial decisions, other accounts link the break to a specific personnel action [4].
Specifically, Csányi said the firing of FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour was "the final straw" [4]. The dismissal of the COO appears to have been the tipping point for the vice-president, who had previously maintained a supportive stance toward the current administration.
Infantino has faced various challenges during his tenure, but the public defection of a vice-president highlights a fracture in the executive leadership. The timing of the announcement on Aug. 20 [1] suggests an urgent need for internal resolution as the organization manages its global operations.
Csányi has not specified if he intends to resign his position or if he will seek a formal vote of no confidence in the president. The Hungarian official's criticism focuses on the intersection of ethics and professional management, a recurring theme in the scrutiny of FIFA's upper management.
“"the final straw"”
This development suggests a deepening crisis of confidence within FIFA's executive tier. By linking his withdrawal of support to the firing of COO Kevin Lamour, Csányi is framing the issue as one of governance and ethical leadership rather than mere policy disagreement. If other federation presidents or vice-presidents follow suit, Infantino may face a coordinated challenge to his authority before the next official election cycle.
