Gianni Infantino's FIFA future in doubt as first nation withdraws re-election support

A European nation has become the first to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president.

Infantino’s reputation is in tatters after FIFA was forced to scrap plans to invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments in a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), with the aim of overseeing the commercial rights for every future tournament.

After backlash from a number of global football associations, FIFA performed a complete U-turn on the plans on Saturday (August 1), with UEFA and the FA united in rejecting the controversial proposal.

All 55 European member associations had supported a boycott of FIFA competitions, including both the men’s and women’s World Cups, earlier in the week.

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In a statement, Infantino explained how FIFA had “listened carefully to all the views” and came to the conclusion that the FFE proposal would not “proceed”.

“The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed,” Infantino said.

“And more so, as we said from the outset, to do this only if a majority of the FIFA Member Associations were in support and always subject to a consultation process with them, the FIFA Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders.

“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place. Our purpose has always been - and will always be - to unite and improve.

“As a result, this proposal will not proceed. Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that most need our support.”

Despite making what many believe was the correct decision to cancel the plans, Infantino’s role as FIFA president, which he has held since February 2016, is under scrutiny.

The Swiss is planning to run for re-election in 2027, although UEFA, Concacaf and the FA have already called for a review of the organisation’s leadership.

On Monday (August 3), Wales became the first nation to publicly withdraw backing for Infantino’s continued leadership bid.

The FAW told Sky News it “hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA president for the 2027-2031 term".

"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," it added.

"Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."

It has also been reported that the FAW has formally written to FIFA about its position on Infantino.

The election will take place at the 77th FIFA Congress on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco, with all 211 member associations each holding a single vote.

What did other football associations say?

As well as UEFA stating that it has lost “confidence” in the “current FIFA leadership,” the Dutch, German and Norwegian FAs have also called for change.

"With the withdrawal of the proposal, the matter is not settled for the KNVB. The way this process has unfolded has led to a fundamental breach of trust in the leadership of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The KNVB no longer ⁠has confidence in his leadership,” the Dutch FA said.

"It was absolutely necessary for Gianni Infantino and FIFA to withdraw this proposal. That has now happened and we are, of course, pleased with the outcome,” Norway FA president Lise Klaveness stated.

"This cannot end as merely another power struggle. We must also use this moment to truly live by our own governance principles and to shift the internal culture away from fear and political positioning towards greater openness."

Meanwhile, German FA President Bernd Neuendorf accused Infantino of acting “unilaterally, opaquely ‌and ultimately irresponsibly in the best interests of football”.