FA set to withdraw support for Infantino amid UEFA legal threat | OneFootball

The FA is preparing to write to FIFA president Gianni Infantino withdrawing its support, as fallout from his abandoned plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions intensifies.

According to Hounslow Herald, the move follows Wales withdrawing backing and arrives as UEFA threatens legal action, orders the preservation of emails, WhatsApp, Signal and meeting notes, and seeks written confirmation within five business days.

The proposal would have created a commercial arm, Fifa Forward Enterprise, to run major events such as the World Cup, with outside investors buying minority stakes. Infantino wrote to all 211 associations offering $40m to those backing the plan, and $20m for early signatories 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, and the Asian Football Confederation later said it stood in solidarity. Africa, CONMEBOL and Oceania have so far declined to criticise.

Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka have publicly backed Infantino. If he holds on until March, he could seek a fourth and final term, needing 106 of FIFA’s 211 votes.

A nearer threat comes from FIFA’s Council, which can call an emergency meeting, and potentially seek his resignation, if 19 of its 37 members request one.

For now opposition is concentrated in Europe and CONCACAF, and efforts are understood to be under way to broaden the coalition.

Source: Hounslow Herald