6 days ago
Italy Withdraws Support for Infantino Amid FIFA Re-election Backlash
Italy’s football federation said it will no longer support Gianni Infantino to lead FIFA again.
FIFA is the organization that runs major international soccer competitions.
The decision followed Infantino’s plan to let private investors buy stakes in tournaments such as the World Cup.
That plan was later abandoned.
Several other European soccer federations have also stopped backing him or said they no longer trust his leadership.
UEFA, Europe’s soccer organization, has even warned about possibly boycotting FIFA competitions.
Italy said it wants soccer to focus on fairness, teamwork, sustainability and fans.
Infantino is still seeking another term, but the growing opposition has made his re-election less certain.
Italy’s football federation withdrew support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidential re-election bid.
The FIGC cited Infantino’s initiatives on FIFA governance and international competitions.
Infantino abandoned a plan to sell World Cup stakes to private equity investors.
UEFA has threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions amid the dispute.
England, Wales, Ireland and several Nordic nations have also withdrawn support or criticized Infantino.
- Who
- The Italian Football Federation, led by Giovanni Malagò, withdrew support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
- What
- The federation ended its backing for Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president.
- Where
- The FIGC announced the decision in Rome; the second article says the election is scheduled in Morocco.
- When
- The decision was announced on Wednesday; the articles differ on whether the re-election vote is in March or at next year’s FIFA Congress.
- Why
- The FIGC cited Infantino’s recent initiatives concerning FIFA governance and international competitions, including an abandoned plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.
European Federations and UEFA
Infantino and FIFA Re-election Effort
Private investment in tournaments
European Federations and UEFA
European football bodies and the FIGC opposed Infantino’s initiatives involving governance and the development of international competitions, including the proposed sale of World Cup stakes to private investors.
Infantino and FIFA Re-election Effort
Infantino promoted the investment plan, which was intended to secure private funding for FIFA tournaments; the plan was later abandoned.
Leadership and re-election
European Federations and UEFA
The FIGC, England, Wales and Ireland withdrew support, while Norway and several Nordic federations criticized Infantino’s leadership; UEFA threatened a competition boycott.
Infantino and FIFA Re-election Effort
Infantino is seeking re-election and, before the backlash, appeared likely to be re-elected without opposition according to the second article.
Future of football governance
European Federations and UEFA
The FIGC said it supports merit, solidarity, sustainability, fans, dialogue, listening and shared responsibility in football.
Infantino and FIFA Re-election Effort
Infantino’s stated initiatives focused on changing the governance and development of international competitions, though the articles do not provide a detailed response from him to the criticism.
Key facts
- Organization making the decision
- Italian Football Federation (FIGC)
- FIFA president
- Gianni Infantino, president since 2016
- Disputed proposal
- A now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in major FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, to private equity investors
- Other European opposition
- England, Wales and Ireland withdrew support; Norway called for Infantino to step down.
- Nordic statement
- Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and the Faeroe Islands said they had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership.
- UEFA response
- UEFA threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions.
- Election timing
- One article refers to next year’s FIFA Congress, while another says the re-election is in March and was expected to occur in Morocco.
Quotes
Giovanni Malagò
President of the Italian soccer federation (FIGC)
“This decision is intended to clearly and transparently express the FIGC's position... regarding the recent initiatives promoted by the FIFA president concerning the governance and development of international competitions”
deccanchronicle.com
“We identify with a model of dialogue, listening and shared responsibility which has, to date, enabled football to grow, innovate and, at the same time, defend its founding principles.”
republicworld.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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