Infantino opponents threaten 'non co-operation' with Fifa
Opponents of Fifa president Gianni Infantino are threatening "non co-operation" with the governing body unless he steps down, according to senior Uefa sources. Some of
Opponents of Fifa president Gianni Infantino are threatening "non co-operation" with the governing body unless he steps down, according to senior Uefa sources. Some of those involved in the rebellion vow "there is no going back" for as long as Infantino remains in position, as the fallout over his scrapped plans to sell off stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors intensifies. While the details of the proposed disruption remain unclear, one senior figure said they would "certainly expect" a refusal to participate in Fifa meetings.
It comes after European football's governing body Uefa threatened legal action over the proposals, and Wales publicly withdrew backing for Infantino's bid for a fourth term as Fifa president, with England's Football Association set to follow suit. In March, Infantino is set to stand for re-election for a final term as president and would need 106 votes from Fifa's 211 members to win. Sources have told BBC Sport the Scottish FA's position on the future of Infantino remains aligned with Uefa's lack of confidence in the 56-year-old.
Infantino's leadership had already been publicly questioned by football's governing bodies in Europe, North and Central America and the Caribbean, with Uefa and Concacaf releasing statements criticising the plans. As the pressure grows on Infantino with Serbia, Sweden and Finland also withdrawing their support, Morocco, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka among the countries to have pledged their support for his Fifa leadership to continue. Uefa has 55 votes, Africa 54, Asia 46, Concacaf 35, Oceania 11 and Conmebol 10. The Asian Football Federation (AFC) has said it stands in "solidarity" with Uefa and Concacaf, while Africa, Conmebol and Oceania have not criticised Infantino's plan.
However, the Fifa Council could try to force Infantino to resign through an emergency meeting. That would be triggered if 19 of the 37 Fifa Council members call for one and the meeting must take place within two weeks. 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.
The BriefWire