European nations are planning to withdraw their letters of support for Fifa president Gianni Infantino, intensifying pressure on his re-election after the collapse of a privately backed World Cup scheme.
Key facts
- European countries plan a mass withdrawal of letters supporting Infantino's re-election as Fifa president.
- Infantino's position is described as being in severe peril, according to the Guardian.
- A privately backed scheme to sell off chunks of the World Cup has collapsed.
- Uefa member associations threatened to boycott future Fifa competitions, largely scuppering the scheme.
- There is reported widespread appetite across Europe to remove Infantino quickly.
Gianni Infantino faces growing pressure to leave his post as Fifa president, with European nations preparing to withdraw their letters of support for his re-election, according to the Guardian.
The move represents a coordinated effort to increase the pressure on Infantino, whose reign the Guardian describes as being in severe peril. European countries are said to be planning a mass withdrawal of the backing they had previously offered.
At the centre of the crisis is the collapse of a privately backed scheme to sell off chunks of the World Cup. The plan was largely scuppered when Uefa member associations threatened to boycott future Fifa competitions.
The Guardian reports that the mood across European football remains febrile, with a widespread appetite to ensure that Infantino is quickly removed from his position.
The timeline and next steps remain unclear from the available reporting.
Why it matters
Fifa oversees global football, including the World Cup, so instability at the top of the organisation affects the sport's governance worldwide. A revolt by European associations, some of football's most powerful stakeholders, signals a serious challenge to Infantino's continued leadership.
Frequently asked questions
Why are European nations opposing Infantino?
According to the Guardian, opposition intensified after the collapse of a privately backed scheme to sell off chunks of the World Cup, which Uefa member associations helped scupper by threatening to boycott future Fifa competitions.
What action are European associations taking?
They are planning a mass withdrawal of letters that had supported Infantino's re-election as Fifa president, according to the Guardian.
What was the World Cup scheme that collapsed?
The Guardian reports it was a privately backed scheme to sell off chunks of the World Cup, which was largely scuppered when Uefa members threatened to boycott future Fifa competitions.