England, Wales Withdraw Backing For Infantino's FIFA Re-Election Bid
The Football Association (FA) of England and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) have withdrawn their support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's bid for another term, deepening the growing crisis surrounding the world football governing body's leadership.
The decision follows the collapse of Infantino's controversial proposal to establish a commercial entity that would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in the FIFA World Cup.
The plan was abandoned on Friday after widespread opposition from continental football confederations, national associations and leading clubs.
Although the FAW had initially backed Infantino's re-election before the details of the proposal emerged, the Welsh governing body announced on Monday that it had reversed its position, citing serious concerns over governance and leadership.
In a statement, the FAW said the recent shortcomings in governance, decision-making, stakeholder engagement, communication and leadership had eroded its confidence in Infantino's ability to continue leading world football.
"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," the statement read.
It added that failing to put the interests of football first was unacceptable.
The English FA has also formally notified FIFA that it no longer supports Infantino's re-election campaign.
According to reports, the FA aligned itself with UEFA's stance that confidence in the FIFA president had been seriously undermined by the handling of the failed commercialisation proposal.
Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016, is seeking a fourth term in office. However, the withdrawal of support from two of Europe's most influential football associations represents a significant setback to his re-election ambitions and adds to mounting scrutiny over his leadership of the global game.
The decision follows the collapse of Infantino's controversial proposal to establish a commercial entity that would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in the FIFA World Cup.
The plan was abandoned on Friday after widespread opposition from continental football confederations, national associations and leading clubs.
Although the FAW had initially backed Infantino's re-election before the details of the proposal emerged, the Welsh governing body announced on Monday that it had reversed its position, citing serious concerns over governance and leadership.
In a statement, the FAW said the recent shortcomings in governance, decision-making, stakeholder engagement, communication and leadership had eroded its confidence in Infantino's ability to continue leading world football.
"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," the statement read.
It added that failing to put the interests of football first was unacceptable.
The English FA has also formally notified FIFA that it no longer supports Infantino's re-election campaign.
According to reports, the FA aligned itself with UEFA's stance that confidence in the FIFA president had been seriously undermined by the handling of the failed commercialisation proposal.
Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016, is seeking a fourth term in office. However, the withdrawal of support from two of Europe's most influential football associations represents a significant setback to his re-election ambitions and adds to mounting scrutiny over his leadership of the global game.
