Did "Morocco's influence" save Infantino? Opponents change plan from ousting him to "clipping his nails"

The Reuters agency quoted a global football source with knowledge of the secret discussions between senior officials as saying: "Three weeks ago, I thought he was finished. What I hadn't realised was how solid the relationships he built after ten years in power were, relationships that are almost impossible to break."

Infantino, 56, faced the biggest challenge of his career this year. His controversial proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA's competitions, including the World Cup, to private-sector investors had just collapsed.

Critics called the plan a bombshell, and it triggered widespread anger. European federation UEFA, the Asian federation and the North and Central American federation CONCACAF led a campaign demanding a change in FIFA's leadership. Several European federations withdrew their support for his re-election, the latest being France last Thursday.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström branded it all "a series of unfortunate and disgraceful events". Yet he threw his full support behind Infantino following the crisis meeting in Rabat, a clear sign the immediate crisis was subsiding.

Infantino's real power lies in FIFA's electoral system. Each of the 211 national associations holds a single, equal vote at the FIFA congress. Unseating the president would demand a global coalition far exceeding the 55 votes of UEFA's members.

That is where the danger lurks for his opponents. Confront the president and lose, and you strengthen his grip rather than weaken it.

One source comments: "I think the course of things has changed. It has become far too risky for European football to go into a vote and not win."

No rival capable of rallying global support has emerged ahead of next March's election, with the deadline for candidacy set at 18 November.

Prominent football figures see Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, as one of the few who could build the continental alliance needed to defeat Infantino. He ruled himself out entirely through a spokesperson, saying he "does not aspire, intend or wish to take up the FIFA presidency".

Victor Montagliani, the president of CONCACAF, is the other name doing the rounds. He confirmed he would not run without sufficient guarantees of victory. The door remains open for a surprise African or Asian candidate.

By contrast, Infantino still enjoys solid backing from the major blocs outside Europe. Steve Laigle, president of the New Caledonia federation, confirmed the mood in Oceania: "Most of the presidents of the Oceania federations have declared their support for Mr Infantino, and we will support him to the end. When we make a promise and are loyal to someone, we remain loyal to him until the end."

Africa tells the same story, where the majority believe continued support will unlock increased development funding. Morocco, one of the most influential federations on the continent, is among Infantino's public backers. Reports, denied by FIFA, claim he promised the 2030 World Cup final to Casablanca in return for keeping African support. The Moroccan federation did not comment.

With the situation deadlocked, some opponents have begun studying an alternative plan: reshaping the structure of FIFA's administration rather than changing the president.

Two sources revealed that officials are looking at stripping powers away from the presidency and handing them to the general secretariat, while tightening oversight of major strategic and commercial decisions.

Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Federation, withdrew his confidence in Infantino. "The trust granted to the FIFA president has been broken," he said, confirming that the distribution of power has become part of the debate within UEFA.

"The project cannot be purely European, but must bring together all the continents," Diallo added. "Our task now is to ensure the emergence of a programme and a candidate, then to work to ensure their victory."

Rabat hosts the FIFA presidential elections on 18 March 2027. What began as an attempt to overthrow Infantino could yet become a battle to tame him.