Fifa rebukes push to oust Infantino as Uefa pressure grows
What's next: Uefa says a boycott of Fifa competitions is still possible as the body refuses any leadership challenge before March's election.
Fifa pushed back Saturday against mounting efforts to force out president Gianni Infantino, accusing critics of trying to undermine the organization outside its democratic process. The statement came after reports tied Infantino to allegations about a former Uefa employee's departure payment, which Fifa called false. Uefa confirmed the employee received a payment and MBA fees in line with its rules at the time. The dispute lands as fallout continues from the collapse of Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have sold a 21% stake in a new commercial-rights company to private investors. Uefa says it has lost confidence in Infantino, and its threat to boycott Fifa events remains in place.