By Kwame Bediako
Renowned French football coach Claude Le Roy, launched a blistering public attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling him “a multilingual idiot” and arguing that his continued hold on the organisation is harmful to the sport.
Le Roy said he was “shocked” that Infantino remains at the head of world football and questioned how the Swiss-Italian executive could be “almost the only candidate for the next election.” The comments add fresh public criticism to a long-running debate about governance and leadership at football’s governing body.
His remarks focused less on personal qualities than on what he describes as a troubling record. “He has one quality: he is multilingual,” Le Roy said, before arguing that Infantino had “brought absolutely nothing positive” and made the sport appear “controversial in the eyes of everyone.”
The vetran coach known for his decades-long career across Africa and Asia framed his critique around football’s image, suggesting that FIFA under Infantino has failed to restore public trust following a series of scandals that shook the organisation in the previous decade.
Gianni Infantino, who was first elected FIFA president in 2016 and has overseen a series of initiatives including World Cup expansion and new global competitions, maintains significant support within the organisation and among many national associations.
Supporters credit him with growing the game’s global footprint, negotiating lucrative contracts, and broadening the World Cup to include more teams. Yet his tenure has also been marked by controversy: questions about decision-making, transparency and the handling of governance reforms have dogged the federation, and critics point to several high-profile disputes and investigations that continue to colour perceptions of FIFA.
The timing of Le Roy’s comments is notable because FIFA is approaching another election cycle, and debate about leadership alternatives has intensified.
While Infantino remains a dominant figure with few declared challengers, critics say the lack of a vibrant opposition underscores deeper issues within football governance, including the influence of regional blocs and the barriers to mounting a credible campaign against an incumbent. Observers say a contested election could force greater scrutiny of policy direction, ethical standards and the future of competitions that have been reshaped under Infantino’s watch.