FA poised to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino amid scrapped investor plan fallout | OneFootball

The Football Association is preparing to write to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to withdraw support, amid fallout from his scrapped plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions. According to Hounslow Herald, Wales has already pulled backing as European pressure grows.

UEFA has written to Infantino saying it is considering legal action, arbitration or regulatory complaints, and demanding FIFA preserve all documents, messages and correspondence linked to the plan. It also sought written confirmation within five business days.

The row stems from a proposal to create a commercial subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise, to run major events including the World Cup, with minority stakes sold to outside investors. Infantino offered all 211 associations $40m (£30m) for backing, plus $20m (£15m) for signing before 19 September.

Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, had been expected to lead the investor group. The plan drew swift criticism from UEFA and CONCACAF, the Asian Football Confederation voiced solidarity, while Africa, CONMEBOL and Oceania have so far declined to criticise.

Support for Infantino remains split, with Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka publicly backing him, and he retains considerable support outside Europe and CONCACAF. If he holds on until March, he could stand for a fourth and final term, needing 106 of FIFA's 211 votes. The FIFA Council could call an emergency meeting if 19 of 37 members request one, and opponents are seeking support beyond Europe and CONCACAF.

Source: Hounslow Herald

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