Sandor Csanyi, one of FIFA’s vice-presidents, has withdrawn his support for president Gianni Infantino, adding to growing signs of division within world football’s governing body.
The Hungarian initially backed Infantino but has since changed his position. In a letter, Csanyi said he believed recent decisions at FIFA were being driven by political interests rather than by the needs of football.
His decision comes amid mounting controversy surrounding Infantino and his leadership of FIFA. The president has faced criticism over a proposal to sell part of FIFA’s stake in the World Cup, a plan which has contributed to divisions within the organisation.
Three continental confederations are opposed to Infantino remaining as FIFA president, while three others are understood to support him. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been included among those backing him, although claims of unanimous African support now appear to be less clear-cut.
CAF said in an official statement that Africa’s football associations unanimously supported Infantino. However, according to Sport News Africa, only four association presidents, in addition to CAF president Patrice Motsepe, have publicly expressed their support.
Those four are Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco, Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania, Souleiman Waberi of Djibouti and Idriss Diallo of Cote d’Ivoire.
The remaining presidents have not responded publicly and have refrained from commenting. There are 54 football associations in Africa in total.
The latest dispute follows the dismissal of Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s director general of operations. Csanyi’s letter indicates that Lamour’s sacking was the trigger for his change of position, after Lamour had criticised Infantino.
Csanyi is one of eight FIFA vice-presidents. His withdrawal of support is the latest indication that Infantino’s position is facing increasing opposition within the governing body.
The Israel Football Association has also stopped supporting Infantino. In a letter, it said it backed his resignation.
According to The Guardian, the Israeli association described the situation as “an unprecedented crisis of confidence”.
Infantino has been at the centre of debate in the football world on a daily basis in recent weeks. The disagreement over the proposed partial sale of FIFA’s interests in the World Cup has intensified wider tensions over his leadership.
Although CAF has publicly presented a united position behind Infantino, the limited number of African federation presidents to have openly endorsed him suggests that the level of support may be more qualified than its official statement indicated.
The dispute now involves senior figures within FIFA, continental leaders and national associations, with Csanyi’s decision and the position taken by the Israel Football Association further weakening the impression of unanimous backing for Infantino.
