FA set to withdraw support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino

The Football Association (FA) is set to withdraw its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino following the collapse of his controversial proposal to sell minority stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors. 

The move comes amid growing opposition from football governing bodies across Europe and intensifies the pressure on Infantino ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election.

The decision follows UEFA’s threat to pursue legal action over the abandoned investment plan. At the same time, the Football Association of Wales has already publicly withdrawn its backing for Infantino’s bid for a fourth and final term in office. 

Sources also indicate that the Scottish Football Association remains aligned with UEFA’s position, signalling a widening loss of confidence in the FIFA president.

Infantino’s proposal sought to establish a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage the organization’s flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. 

Under the plan, private investors would have been allowed to acquire minority, non-controlling stakes in the new entity. 

FIFA had also reportedly offered its 211 member associations financial incentives of up to $40 million in exchange for supporting the proposal.

UEFA has since taken a more aggressive stance, formally warning FIFA that it is considering legal action, arbitration, and regulatory complaints over the handling of the proposal. 

The European governing body has also demanded that FIFA preserve all documents, electronic communications, and records related to the plan, including emails, instant messages, meeting notes, and communications involving member associations, sponsors, and financial institutions.

The controversy has sparked growing calls for a change in FIFA’s leadership. UEFA Vice-President Laura McAllister described the governance process surrounding the proposal as “abysmal” and said the events should serve as a catalyst for greater accountability within world football. 

She expressed hope that more member associations would withdraw their support for Infantino before next year’s election.

Despite mounting opposition from several European nations, including Wales, Serbia, and Finland, Infantino continues to enjoy backing from a number of associations outside Europe, including Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Sri Lanka. 

While UEFA and its allies continue efforts to rally enough support for an emergency FIFA Council meeting that could challenge his leadership, the outcome of the growing dispute remains uncertain as world football prepares for a potentially decisive period in its governance.