Infantino's assertion comes as he continues to face pressure from several high-profile football associations, including Uefa and Concacaf. The Fifa president was speaking in a rare interview with BBC Sport about his position following controversy surrounding the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.

According to Infantino, it is not uncommon for different viewpoints to coexist within organisations like Fifa, saying "there is nothing bad in disagreeing" and that people are often expected to put aside their differences. The president went on to suggest that moving forward requires finding common ground despite differing opinions.

The controversy surrounding the FFE proposal has led several high-profile football associations to call for Infantino's resignation. Uefa, the governing body of European football, was among those who signed a letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust "through deception".

Infantino has been under pressure since last month when he faced mounting calls to stand down as president of Fifa, an organisation he has led since 2016.

Infantino has been actively campaigning for his re-election as Fifa president, having recently toured several countries in Africa and Asia.

During these visits, he appears to have secured significant support from key football governing bodies, including the Asian Football Confederation, which had initially expressed reservations about FFE but ultimately endorsed Infantino's leadership.

In a bid to boost his popularity, Infantino has also proposed a substantial increase in funding for football development worldwide, with a $3.4bn allocation aimed at promoting the sport globally.

This move is seen as an attempt to address criticism that Fifa's commercial activities have prioritized profits over grassroots development and community engagement.

Infantino's efforts to shore up support come after he faced intense pressure from within Fifa's own ranks following his decision to scrap FFE, which had been intended to generate revenue through the sale of commercial rights.

Infantino's efforts to address criticism from within Fifa's ranks are being echoed through his public statements.

The Fifa president recently spoke at the inaugural Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, where he acknowledged that some decisions made by his administration may not have been entirely successful.

He expressed a desire for more frequent dialogue with Uefa, an effort aimed at mending the strained relationship between the two organizations.

Infantino's willingness to engage in open communication is seen as a crucial step towards rebuilding trust and confidence in Fifa's leadership.

In response to questions about his suitability for the position of Fifa president, Infantino emphasized that he was elected by 211 member associations worldwide.

Infantino acknowledged that there are various opinions on how to run Fifa, but emphasized the need for respect towards all views.

The deadline for candidates to confirm their intention to stand against Infantino in the upcoming election is fast approaching, with just a few weeks left until 18 November.

Infantino's re-election prospects have been boosted by recent developments, particularly the support he has received from Asian football associations following a significant U-turn.

Meanwhile, Fifa Under-15 World Cup and Festival underway in Azerbaijan, where Infantino was spotted on Friday attending the event alongside teams from 189 member associations.

The tournament is structured to accommodate young players, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility. From next year, the event will be open to girls only, marking a significant shift in the competition's format.

In 2028, Fifa plans to introduce an annual joint boys' and girls' tournament, allowing for equal participation and representation of both sexes.

BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6q8nd9g9n72o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

The trial's lead researcher, Christine Stabell Benn of Bandim Health Project and the University of Southern Denmark, confirmed in an email that Guinea-Bissau's Council of Ministers formally rejected the study on October 16th. This move comes after weeks of controversy surrounding the trial.

A recent development in this saga is the raid by judicial police in Guinea-Bissau on Bandim Health's offices, where they seized vaccines. Stabell Benn pointed out that the police action took place shortly after the government rejected the study proposal.

The researcher expressed regret over the decision to reject the study, stating that it was deemed scientifically and ethically justified by her team. However, she acknowledged the authority of the government in deciding whether research can proceed within their country's borders.

Experts from various fields have questioned the trial's justification and design, labeling it as "unethical due to its plan to withhold the newborn dose of hepatitis B vaccine from half of the participants.

The trial's cancellation comes as a relief for thousands of babies in Guinea-Bissau who would have been at risk of developing chronic hepatitis B infections if the study had proceeded.

The country has struggled with high rates of hepatitis B infections, which can lead to severe health consequences such as liver cirrhosis and cancer. In light of this, experts argue that there is no scientific justification for a trial that would withhold the newborn dose of the vaccine from half of the participants.

The researchers behind the study, Bandim Health's Stabell Benn and her husband Peter Aaby, have been at the center of controversy in the past. Their work on nonspecific harms from vaccines has been lauded by anti-vaccine advocates, but criticized by their peers for its quality.

Aaby and Stabell Benn are currently under investigation by Danish authorities for alleged scientific misconduct in their previous studies. The investigation adds to concerns about the ethics of the hepatitis B vaccine trial that was planned to take place in Guinea-Bissau.

The US CDC's decision to award an unsolicited grant of $1.6 million to Bandim Health has also sparked outrage, with some questioning the motivations behind the funding.

The controversy surrounding the hepatitis B vaccine trial on newborns in Guinea-Bissau continues to escalate, with outside experts questioning the ethics of withholding proven care from participants.

In response to criticism, Stabell Benn and colleagues have maintained that their approach is justified because Guinea-Bissau does not currently offer routine hepatitis B vaccinations at birth. They argue that without the trial, these newborns would not have received the vaccine anyway, as it is only planned for introduction in 2028 due to a lack of resources and infrastructure.

However, experts point out that this reasoning contradicts established guidelines such as the Declaration of Helsinki, which requires trials to provide participants with the best proven intervention available. In the case of hepatitis B prevention, this means administering the newborn dose within the first 24 hours of life, as recommended globally.

The World Health Organization has explicitly stated that resource constraints cannot be used to justify withholding proven care in a research study involving people. This stance is at odds with Stabell Benn and colleagues' approach, which appears to prioritize cost-effectiveness over the well-being of trial participants.

A Bandim Health researcher involved in the trial, Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, has tried to deflect criticism by blaming the Anglophone media" for framing the trial as dangerous due to its control group.

The controversy surrounding the US-backed vaccine trial on babies in Guinea-Bissau has led to a breakdown in trust between local officials and researchers involved in the project.

Rumors have been circulating on social media that the trial was actually testing a novel vaccine, with some speculating that the hepatitis B vaccine is dangerous and that Guinea-Bissau newborns are being used as test subjects. These concerns were fueled by negative media coverage of the trial.

Despite claims from researchers that the media controversy has led to misplaced fears about the safety of the hepatitis B vaccine in Guinea-Bissau, local distrust towards the researchers may have played a role in the rejection of the trial and subsequent police operation.

The Council of Ministers had instructed authorities to investigate the origin and handling of vaccines intended for the proposed study, leading to a search of the Bandim Health Project premises on October 19. The Judicial Police sealed a fridge containing a batch of hepatitis B vaccines meant for the trial.

No vaccines were administered during the trial as it had not yet begun, but local officials seem unconvinced by the researchers' claims that they cooperated fully with authorities during the investigation.

The US-backed vaccine trial for babies has been canceled due to international outcry. The decision was made by Stabell Benn, who stated that any future proposal would have to undergo thorough scientific, ethical, and governmental reviews.

Bandim has ruled out moving the trial to a different location. According to Benn, the underlying scientific question remains important but must be addressed in an appropriate local context with proper partnership and regulatory oversight. The cancellation marks a conclusion to this contentious issue.

Ars Technica: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/10/unethical-vaccine-trial-on-babies-backed-by-rfk-jr-is-formally-canceled/

According to a filing notice on an Office of Management and Budget website, the FDA has submitted an "Interim Access Policy for review by the White House. While details about the policy are scarce, individuals familiar with the proposal have revealed that it would grant the agency enforcement discretion over certain peptide drugs. This means the FDA could choose not to enforce current restrictions on these substances and provide reassurance to specialty pharmacies looking to produce them.

Enabling the sale of unproven peptides has raised concerns among FDA staff scientists, who have pointed out that these substances lack sufficient research to establish their safety and efficacy. Moreover, there is a risk they may cause harm to those using them. The proposal's focus on easing access to peptide drugs contradicts this scientific scrutiny.

A request for comment from the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA, has gone unanswered so far.

The proposal by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent advocate for health freedom, to have the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reconsider its stance on unproven injectable peptide drugs has sparked controversy.

These peptides, which are currently being re-reviewed by the FDA, were initially deemed to lack sufficient data on safety and efficacy, posing potential risks to users. Despite this, they remain popular among certain groups, including those in the MAHA community who claim that they can improve appearance, boost energy, and aid in injury recovery.

The peptides' popularity has led some sellers to make unsubstantiated claims about their benefits, with Kennedy himself being a self-proclaimed big fan of these products. In fact, he has vowed to end what he calls the FDA's war on peptides" since taking office.

As part of this effort, the FDA announced in April that it would reconsider 12 unproven peptides, and in June, Kennedy appointed new members to a key advisory panel tasked with reviewing them. However, at least six of these appointees have ties to businesses or clinics related to peptides, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

In a July meeting, the panel voted to recommend adding six out of the first seven peptides considered back to the list of drugs that compounding pharmacies can make, despite objections from FDA staff scientists who maintain that these products still lack crucial safety and efficacy data.

A recent report suggests that the FDA may adopt a new approach to regulating compounding pharmacies, which could potentially ease access to unproven peptides. This move would bypass the formal rulemaking process, which is typically time-consuming and involves multiple rounds of public comment.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has expressed strong opposition to this proposal, arguing that it puts consumers at risk of serious injury from unsupported claims about the benefits of these peptides. In a letter to Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, CSPI president Pete Lurie urged him to disregard the panel's recommendations.

If adopted, the new enforcement discretion could provide access to unproven peptides during the ongoing rulemaking process or as an alternative to it.

Ars Technica: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/10/rfk-jr-proposes-fda-look-the-other-way-on-unproven-peptides-report-says/

Fifa President Gianni Infantino has offered an apology to the Fifa Council after his secret proposal to sell off a portion of the governing body's commercial rights sparked controversy. The deal, known as Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), was shelved just days after its emergence. This move is seen as an attempt by Infantino to placate critics and restore trust in his leadership.

The Fifa Council convened in Zurich on Thursday for their first meeting since the FFE proposal surfaced. During a three-and-a-half-hour session, Infantino faced intense questioning about various issues including his plan to privatise some of Fifa's commercial assets. The move was seen as a significant departure from the traditional model of governing body ownership.

Under the scrapped FFE deal, a private investment firm would have been granted control over a portion of Fifa's lucrative commercial rights. This move has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the impact on the sport's integrity. Infantino's decision to abandon the plan may have temporarily eased tensions but it remains unclear whether this will be enough to restore confidence in his leadership.

The meeting ended with many questions still unanswered, including those related to US striker Folarin Balogun's suspended red-card ban and funding for national associations. Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt expressed her disappointment at the lack of transparency during the meeting.

The apology offered by Infantino during the meeting was met with skepticism, as chair Debbie Hewitt acknowledged that while there was some contrition expressed, it fell short of what was expected.

Infantino's apology focused primarily on not bringing the issue to the council earlier, rather than taking responsibility for the underlying actions. This lack of accountability has been a major point of contention for those calling for his resignation.

Uefa, a vocal critic of Infantino's leadership, has continued to press its case against him. The governing body has prepared criminal legal proceedings against the Fifa president and has lodged claims in three US courts seeking the release of documents related to FFE.

In response to questions about Uefa's stance on Infantino, Hewitt made it clear that there was no change in their position. From her perspective, nothing had shifted, despite Infantino's apology, and she remained unconvinced by his words.

Uefa has been searching for a candidate to challenge Infantino in the upcoming Fifa presidential election, but so far, none have emerged as serious contenders. Former defender Ramon Vega has expressed interest in running, but it remains unclear whether he will be able to secure the necessary support from member associations.

Senior figures within European football are reportedly pushing for former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to run against current Fifa President Gianni Infantino.

Wenger's potential candidacy has sparked speculation about his willingness to give up his position as global head of football development at Fifa in order to challenge his boss.

The deadline for candidates to put their name on the ballot is 18 November, and it remains unclear whether Wenger would be prepared to abandon his current role for a potentially uphill battle against Infantino.

Hewitt has acknowledged that Uefa and other opponents must find a candidate willing to run against Infantino in order to provide him with a rival.

BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cmd7qgj3zwero?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

The governing body's reserves will be tapped into to release this significant increase in funding, which would more than double the amount previously planned for distribution from 2027-2030.

This move comes as a direct result of the commercial success of this summer's World Cup, which has generated substantial revenue for Fifa.

The proposal is set to be discussed at a meeting of Fifa's council on Thursday, and it follows a period of intense scrutiny for the organisation under its current leadership.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino's previous plan, known as Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), was met with significant criticism from several key stakeholders.

Fifa has announced that it will provide additional funding from its reserves to support football development around the world. This move comes on top of the $2.7bn (£2.05bn) already allocated for the 2027-2030 cycle.

The total amount set aside for football development will now be $6.35bn (£4.83bn), a significant increase from the initial budget. This extra funding will be distributed among various stakeholders, including confederations and regional associations, as well as some non-Fifa affiliated groups.

Fifa has outlined specific allocations for each group: $99m (£75m) for the six confederations and $8.25m (£6.3m) for the 13 zonal/regional associations. Additionally, 100 member associations will receive $1.1m (£836,000) to support travel and equipment costs.

The distribution of funds will follow a specific framework: one third will go towards women's and youth football development, one third towards infrastructure projects, and one third towards other initiatives. This plan is set to be finalized by the Fifa council in December 2026, subject to approval at the 77th Fifa congress in March 2027.

The new proposal also includes measures to prevent similar incidents like the Folarin Balogun situation from happening again, where a player was allowed to continue playing despite being sent off. There are ongoing discussions about revising the disciplinary code to address such issues and ensure fairness in football.

Fifa is considering changes to its disciplinary code in response to recent controversies over player bans.

The proposed revisions would make it clear that automatic one-match bans for red cards cannot be suspended, addressing concerns about fairness in football. This clarification is aimed at preventing similar situations from arising in the future. The move follows scrutiny of the process surrounding Balogun's ban suspension.

A proposal has been put forward to add a list of instances where a ban cannot be suspended to Article 27 of Fifa's regulations. This would include automatic one-game bans for red cards, which are currently subject to review and potential appeal. The addition is intended to provide clarity and consistency in the application of disciplinary measures.

The proposed changes aim to restore trust in the disciplinary process and ensure that football remains free from undue influence or interference. If implemented, these revisions will help maintain the integrity of the sport and uphold its values of fairness and sportsmanship.

BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c64g1ex2d7gvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss