The English Football Association is set to withdraw its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino following the collapse of his controversial plan to sell stakes in the governing body’s competitions to private investors.
The move comes as UEFA considers legal action over the proposal, while the Football Association of Wales has publicly withdrawn its backing for Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president.
Infantino’s leadership has come under increasing pressure after UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation all opposed the investment plan, forcing FIFA to abandon the proposal.
The governing body had intended to create a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage its flagship competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, while allowing external investors to purchase minority stakes.
According to The Telegraph, UEFA has informed Infantino it is “actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints” in relation to the proposal.
The European governing body has also demanded that FIFA preserve all documents connected to the plan, including emails, instant messages, text messages, written correspondence and meeting notes involving FIFA officials, member associations, broadcasters, sponsors and financial institutions.
UEFA has requested confirmation within five business days that the documents will be retained and protected from deletion.
FIFA has been approached for comment.
Infantino bribe backfires
Infantino had written to all 211 FIFA member associations promising each nation $40 million (£30 million) if they backed the proposal, with an initial payment of $20 million (£15 million) available ahead of a September 19 deadline.
The proposed investment 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.
Despite the growing backlash, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka have publicly backed Infantino’s leadership.
The Swiss official remains eligible to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president at next March’s Congress, where he would require the support of at least 106 of the organisation’s 211 member associations.
However, pressure is also mounting within FIFA’s governing structure.
An extraordinary FIFA Council meeting could be called if at least 19 of its 37 members request one, with the meeting required to take place within two weeks.
The council includes nine representatives from UEFA, seven from the Asian Football Confederation, five from Concacaf, six from the Confederation of African Football, five from CONMEBOL, three from Oceania, as well as Infantino and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom.
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