Crushing blow for FIFA boss as first re-election domino falls
Updated . First published at
England is set to join Wales in formally withdrawing support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election after his attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
Support for Infantino has dwindled since his proposal of a FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) that would act as a commercial subsidiary to run FIFA events like the World Cup and Club World Cup.
Pressure continues to mount on FIFA president Gianni Infantino. AP
Many stakeholders claimed this proposal was done without consultation with continental bodies around the world rejecting the idea despite projection of a $20 million to all member associations.
The Football Association of Wales has since announced it won’t support Infantino’s desire to stay on as president.
“(FA of Wales) hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA President for the 2027-2031 term,” the association told Sky News.
“The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football.
“Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept.”
Sky’s report also added that the FA of Wales has written to FIFA with its complaint.
Hours after Wales’ announcement, England FA is now following suit with multiple English publications including Sky, The Times and TalkSPORT reporting the news.
After the backlash to the FFE, FIFA withdrew its intention for the project.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” Infantino said.
“Our purpose has always been - and will always be - to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.
“Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support.”
UEFA was one of the first sporting bodies to speak out against the idea and has since announced there is a lack of confidence in FIFA’s leadership.
“The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA’s confidence but also that of many other members of the football family,” a statement read.
Gianni Infantino with US President Donald Trump. AP
“UEFA will begin work immediately with partners and stakeholders all over the world and right across the game to propose a new way of distributing resources through the existing FIFA Forward programme.
“This is a victory for the whole game. But it must not be the end of the story. The proposal has gone. The task of rebuilding trust in FIFA has only just begun.”
Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016.
