FIFA President Gianni Infantino to stand for re-election

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election in March, says football's world governing body.

Infantino, who has filled the role since 2016, has been under pressure following his scrapped plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investment firms.

Infantino's lucrative plan sparked a global outcry, with European football's governing body Uefa threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

"The FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027," read a Fifa statement.

"Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election."

It is the first time FIFA has said he will run for a fourth term since the scandal began following the summer's World Cup.

FIFA this week accused Uefa of a "smear campaign against it and its leadership", in a challenge to litigation over Infantino's plan.

Last week UEFA filed legal papers in the US requesting disclosure of evidence and documents from FIFA, warning it could lodge a criminal complaint in Switzerland.

BBC Sport understands UEFA is confident that a candidate can be found to stand against Infantino.

A candidate must receive the backing of at least 106 of the 211 FIFA member associations.

UEFA has abandoned the idea of trying to force a vote of no confidence.

It would require three-quarters of the members - 159 votes - to pass the motion through a change of FIFA statutes, which is considered unrealistic.

No other candidates to challenge Infantino have been named, although CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is considered a serious option.

Nominations must be submitted by 18 November.