Top lawyer exits FIFA as Infantino faces intense re-election campaign

FIFA’s top lawyer left the football body yesterday after eight years working for its president Gianni Infantino and a men’s World Cup in North America, which drew intense scrutiny on disciplinary rulings.

“Emilio García Silvero has expressed his wish to embark on a new chapter in his career and return to Spain after 15 years of working abroad in the service of international football,” FIFA said in a statement.

García’s exit comes as FIFA prepares for its first contested presidential election since 2016 and with Infantino likely facing an invitation to the US Congress having already been targeted in July by Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.