The English Football Association is to write to Gianni Infantino to formally withdraw its support for his re-election as FIFA president, adding to growing opposition to his leadership across European football.
The decision follows an FA statement on Saturday backing UEFA’s loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership. UEFA’s position was prompted by a proposal to sell a 21% stake in FIFA’s commercial operations and special events to an investment fund owned by Joshua Kushner for $4.2bn (£3.1bn).
The FA said: “The time has come for a thorough and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance, to ensure the global game is managed transparently and in the interests of all 211 member associations, with the long-term management of the game at the heart of its objectives.”
Infantino dramatically abandoned the FIFA Forward Enterprises plan last Friday after widespread opposition within football, including from FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour.
Lamour told the Associated Press: “It’s a one-man project.”
Although the proposal has been withdrawn, pressure on Infantino continues to build. The Football Association of Wales became one of the first of FIFA’s 211 member associations to officially withdraw its support for his re-election next year on Monday.
The Football Association of Serbia also confirmed on Monday that it had withdrawn its backing. In a formal statement, it said: “We would like to remind you that we gave written support to Mr Infantino on 25 May this year, but after careful consideration of the events that have seriously damaged the reputation of FIFA and its president in the recent period, this is the only logical and rational step.”
The Swiss Football Association, representing Infantino’s country of birth, said it had given its support before events that had been widely discussed during the World Cup.
“We wrote a letter of support before the widely discussed events during the World Cup, which we also found concerning,” it said. “As a result, further discussions are currently taking place internally and externally with other associations.”
The Swiss association added: “Naturally, the events of the past week are being taken into account during these discussions. In addition, we are seeking another personal exchange of views with the FIFA president, and we will continue to review developments surrounding FIFA until the election scheduled for 18 March 2027.”
Other European football associations are expected to follow the Welsh and English associations in coordinating their response with UEFA. UEFA had previously said its members would boycott the World Cup if the FIFA Forward Enterprises plans were not cancelled.
UEFA has also threatened to take legal action against FIFA over the abandoned proposal.
A law firm acting for UEFA sent separate letters to FIFA and Joshua Kushner on 31 July, requesting that no documents linked to the plans be destroyed. Joshua Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
The Athletic reported last week that the overwhelming majority of members of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) either no longer trust Infantino or are losing confidence in him.
Infantino announced at FIFA’s annual congress in April that he intended to stand for what would be his final term as president. Before the FIFA Forward Enterprises controversy emerged, his grip on the global game appeared strong. He said on Instagram that he had received pledges of support from more than 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations for his re-election in 2027.
The 56-year-old had been expected to face no opposition for the 2027-31 term, as was the case in 2019 and 2023.
However, CONCACAF president and current FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani is seriously considering challenging Infantino for the presidency.
The deadline for submitting nominations for the March election is 18 November.
