The Italian soccer federation has joined other nations in withdrawing support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The FIGC announced its decision not to back Infantino’s bid for reelection in March due to concerns regarding his governance initiatives and plans for international competitions.
Infantino faced mounting pressure to resign following his now-abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. Three continental confederations accused him of deceit, and UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA events.
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò emphasized the federation’s commitment to working with UEFA and European federations to uphold soccer values like merit, solidarity, sustainability, and fan engagement. He highlighted the importance of dialogue, listening, and shared responsibility in soccer’s growth and preservation of its core principles.
England, Wales, Ireland, and Norway have also withdrawn support for Infantino’s reelection, expressing a lack of confidence in his leadership. Despite initial expectations of an uncontested reelection in Morocco next year, FIFA has set a November 18 deadline for potential challengers to enter the race.
While some member federations continue to back Infantino, including 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco and Qatar, where he previously resided, others like Saudi Arabia have not publicly endorsed him despite their political ties.
UEFA is poised to retract its boycott threat against FIFA competitions following assurances that Infantino’s failed World Cup sell-off plan will not be revived. The move is expected to allow European teams to participate in upcoming tournaments, including the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Infantino’s proposal for a $20 billion subsidiary controlling FIFA commercial rights, involving private investors, sparked global outrage. The plan was swiftly abandoned amid widespread criticism from soccer authorities worldwide, triggering doubts about Infantino’s leadership and reelection prospects.
European soccer leaders, including UEFA, had voiced concerns over the spinoff project but have now received assurances that it will not resurface in a different form. UEFA’s stance against Infantino’s leadership underscores the ongoing challenges facing the FIFA president as he navigates the upcoming reelection process.
