Infantino deflects resignation calls with hairdresser quip as betrayal row deepens

Gianni Infantino responded to calls for his resignation with a joke about a journalist’s bald head after being confronted outside a hotel in the Dominican Republic by Sky News US correspondent James Matthews, who asked the FIFA president directly whether he had “betrayed the game of football.”

Infantino, 56, replied “You have a nice haircut. Thank you so much,” before walking toward a waiting vehicle. As Matthews pressed further — asking why Infantino would not step down given demands from fans and FIFA associations — the president called back: “I’ll see you at the hairdressers.”

The exchange comes amid a deepening governance crisis at football’s governing body. Three continental confederations last week accused Infantino of “deception” over a scheme to introduce private investment into FIFA tournaments. UEFA has gone further, threatening a boycott of FIFA competitions after declaring it had “lost confidence” in his leadership.

Supporters’ groups spanning all six FIFA confederations have now launched a petition on Change.org demanding Infantino’s resignation. The statement accompanying the petition was unsparing in its language.

“The shameful attempt by one individual — the FIFA president himself — to sell off the World Cup to private investors exposed a betrayal football will never forget,” the fan organisations said. “Infantino’s plan was stitched together in secret. Negotiated behind closed doors. Hidden from FIFA’s own members and from the millions of people whose passion makes football what it is.”

Fan groups described the private investment proposal as a final straw, pointing also to FIFA’s involvement in discussions around the European Super League and the ticket pricing structure for this summer’s men’s World Cup as evidence of a pattern of decisions made without meaningful consultation with supporters.

While Infantino retains backing in parts of Africa and South America, the breadth of opposition — spanning confederations, national supporter groups, and now individual fans signing the petition — marks a significant escalation in pressure on his presidency. He has not indicated any intention to resign.