A bruising 24 hours - what next for Fifa and under-pressure Infantino?
The quickest route for Infantino's exit would be for the Swiss to resign, like his predecessor Sepp Blatter did in 2015. But Infantino still retains
The quickest route for Infantino's exit would be for the Swiss to resign, like his predecessor Sepp Blatter did in 2015. But Infantino still retains support and he could try to hold out until March, when he is up for re-election for a fourth and final term as president. What other avenues are open? The Fifa Council could try to force Infantino's hand through an emergency meeting. Such a gathering would be triggered if 19 of the 37 Fifa Council members call for one. Uefa has nine members, AFC has seven, Concacaf five, Africa has six, Conmebol five and Oceania three.
It is completed by Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom. BBC Sport understands there are some doubts that the 19 votes could be achieved. If they do get to 19, the meeting must take place within two weeks and the Fifa Council could call on Infantino to tender his resignation. But he could simply refuse to do so. It would, however, add further pressure. The next step would be an extraordinary congress of the 211 Fifa member associations, which would be held if one-fifth, or 43 associations, "make such a request in writing". So Uefa, which has 55 nations, can trigger the extraordinary congress whenever it wishes.
That would take a minimum of two months from the point it is triggered, but more likely three months, and there is no guarantee of success. In effect, it would be a de facto election without there being another candidate as 106 votes would be needed to pass the vote of no confidence. Uefa has 55, Africa 54, Asia 46, Concacaf 35, Oceania 11 and Conmebol 10. Africa, Conmebol and Oceania have not criticised Infantino's plan. So could Uefa get to 106? In total, 136 countries officially rejected the investment plan, but voting to reject an idea is not the same as voting to kick Infantino out.
Of the 136, Qatar have already publicly backed him and Mexico have distanced themselves from the joint Concacaf statement. Which leaves finding a suitable candidate to fight the election in March. Infantino stood unopposed when he was re-elected in 2019 and 2023 and if someone wants to battle him for the position, the deadline to announce their candidacy is 18 November.
The BriefWire