Football power struggle grows
The leaders of UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC are ready to take extreme measures to oust FIFA boss Gianni Infantino - which includes setting up their own rival competition. The days of the FIFA president appear numbered in the wake of his failed plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup, but Infantino is determined to fight on.
Infantino came under pressure after efforts to sell stakes in football governing body's competitions to private investors. Those plans were ultimately shelved, but not before UEFA threatened to boycott future FIFA competitions if they went through, while the Swiss' senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro quit, saying: "I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup".
He's tried to lean on old acquaintances, but he's lost the faith of several of the world's major organisations. UEFA have been the most outspoken federation and have backing from other continental organisations. The Times reports that they're prepared to create their own tournament and UEFA have a blueprint for a global league having commissioned one in 2017, without using it.
One source told the newspaper:
“Everyone is very determined he needs to go, and if not we will take all the necessary steps [to remove him from power]. That includes future international competitions — would the big South American countries prefer to play France or Spain, or Lebanon or Djibouti? Everyone is very determined, there are no backward steps now.”
It remains feasible that Infantino will ignore the noise and try for re-election in March as he eyes a fourth term. Infantino’s opponents would therefore be prepared to impose a “governance boycott” which would see them refuse to take part in FIFA council or committee meetings.
A number of European associations, including England and Wales, have withdrawn letters of support for Infantino’s re-election after his World Cup sale plans fell flat. It comes after the FA had supported Infantino via a letter as recently as June.
The England and Wales FAs had previously written letters of support for Infantino ahead of his efforts to stand for reelection as FIFA president. However, reports this week indicated that both would withdraw their support in the light of the fresh controversy.
Welsh football's stance was set out in blunt terms. A statement from the FAW read:
“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,” a statement from the FAW read. “Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept.”
UEFA were outspoken against the FIFA president during the World Cup, heavily criticising his decision to suspended the red card handed to Folarin Balogun whilst their president Aleksander Ceferin refused to attend the final last month in New York.
Europe's governing body has signalled its intent to take legal action after FIFA and said in a letter:
“UEFA hereby gives formal notice that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints arising out of and in connection with the FFE plan proposed by Fifa and all related matters.
“You and Fifa are required to take immediate steps to identify, locate, and preserve all documents and electronically stored information described in this notice that are in your or Fifa’s possession, custody, or control.
“These obligations arise independently of any internal retention policy you or your organisation maintain and supersede any routine document destruction or deletion policies that would otherwise apply.”
UEFA have also not ruled out extreme measures such as a vote of no confidence in Infantino, while CONCACAF - the equivalent body for North and Central America and the Caribbean - have called for a full review of the president's leadership. The AFC, which represents Asian nations, said it stood in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF.
Serbia and Finland have also individually withdrawn support, while Denmark, Sweden and Norway are all opposing him, with some of their criticism pre-dating the latest controversial proposals.
Only 15 football associations are reported have backed Infantino, among them Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Sri Lanka, though an official list of those 15 has not been shared.
Egypt is also among that number, with their FA saying in a statement:
“The Egyptian association renews its full confidence in the leadership of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and affirms its continued support for any initiatives that serve the interests of FIFA member associations and the future of world football.”
That leaves a divided landscape as the row deepens. Victor Montagliani has emerged as a front-runner should Infantino leave his post. The Canadian businessman has served as CONCACAF president since 2016 and was involved in his country co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.
Other potential names mentioned include AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and FIFA secretary general Matthias Grafstrom.
UEFA leaves Gianni Infantino facing FIFA power crisis over World Cup plan and Gianni Infantino faces FIFA revolt over World Cup plot both detailed the growing backlash against the FIFA president, while UEFA tells Gianni Infantino to drop World Cup private ownership plan set out UEFA's hardline stance as the row escalated. Gianni Infantino's World Cup sale plan puts FIFA chief under fresh pressure also tracked the fallout from the proposal and the widening criticism around it.
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