The English Football Association (FA) is set to withdraw its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, deepening the crisis surrounding the football governing body’s controversial investment plans.
The move comes after FIFA abandoned a proposal to sell minority stakes in its major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, to private investors following widespread opposition from football authorities.
According to the BBC, the FA will formally notify Infantino of its decision, while UEFA is considering legal action over the now-shelved proposal. Wales has also publicly withdrawn its backing for Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president.
The controversy centres on FIFA’s plan to establish a commercial subsidiary, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage its flagship competitions. Under the proposal, outside investors would have been allowed to purchase minority stakes in the new entity.
UEFA described the proposal as unacceptable and has threatened legal proceedings, arbitration and regulatory complaints against FIFA.
The European football body has also demanded that FIFA preserve all documents related to the investment plan, including emails, text messages, meeting records and communications involving football officials, sponsors and financial institutions.
The governing body said the request was necessary to ensure no evidence linked to the proposal is destroyed while legal options are being considered.
Before abandoning the plan, Infantino had reportedly written to all 211 FIFA member associations, offering each up to $40 million in funding if they supported the proposal before a September 19 deadline.
The proposed investment consortium was expected to be led by American venture capital firm Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
The latest dispute has widened the rift between FIFA and UEFA, with football authorities in Europe, North and Central America, and the Caribbean expressing concerns over Infantino’s leadership.
Despite mounting pressure, the FIFA president continues to enjoy support from several countries, including Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka.
Infantino, who has led FIFA for a decade, is eligible to seek a fourth and final term as president in March next year. To secure re-election, he would need the support of at least 106 of FIFA’s 211 member associations.
However, pressure is also mounting within FIFA. Under the organisation’s statutes, an emergency meeting of the 37-member FIFA Council can be convened if at least 19 members request it. Such a meeting could potentially consider calls for Infantino to step down.
For now, the outcome remains uncertain, with European football authorities working to rally support from other regions as the standoff over FIFA’s governance enters a critical phase.
BBC.
