English FA set to join Welsh in withdrawing support for Infantino

The English Football Association is preparing to formally notify Fifa president Gianni Infantino that it is withdrawing its support, following a massive fallout over his controversial plans to sell stakes in Fifa tournaments to private investors. The move aligns England with Wales, which has already publicly pulled its backing for Infantino's continued presidency.

Infantino's leadership has faced intense public scrutiny and criticism from football governing bodies across Europe, North and Central America, and the Caribbean. Both Uefa and Concacaf previously released biting statements condemning the proposals, which centered on creating a commercial subsidiary to run premier events like the World Cup while allowing external investors to purchase equity stakes.

Escalating the feud, Uefa issued a stern demand for Fifa leadership to immediately identify, locate, and preserve all documents and electronically stored information linked to the proposal. Uefa stressed that these legal obligations supersede any routine internal document deletion policies. The friction intensified after it was revealed that Infantino wrote to all 211 Fifa member associations promising $40m (£30m) each if they backed his proposal, attaching a 19 September deadline to access an initial $20m (£15m) tranche.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner—the brother of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner—was lined up to lead the investor group for the proposed FFE project. Regarding the September deadline, Uefa specifically demanded the retention of records concerning the payment structure designed for member associations, including its legal basis and communications.

Despite mounting Western opposition, Infantino retains significant backing from other regions. Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka have all pledged their support for his continued leadership. If Infantino survives in office until March, he becomes eligible to run for a fourth and final term, requiring 106 votes out of the 211 total member associations to secure victory. Uefa commands 55 votes, Africa 54, Asia 46, Concacaf 35, Oceania 11, and Conmebol 10.

Alternatively, the Fifa Council could attempt to force Infantino's resignation via an emergency meeting. Such a session is triggered if 19 of the 37 council members demand it, requiring the meeting to convene within two weeks. The council consists of nine members from Uefa, seven from the AFC, six from Africa, five each from Concacaf and Conmebol, three from Oceania, alongside Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafstrom.

Source: BBC Sport