The Football Association has decided to withdraw its endorsement of Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president. This move comes after a series of controversies that have marred his tenure.
Why Did They Endorse Him?
The obvious question is why the FA ever endorsed him in the first place. There should be some shamed faces in the FA's executive ranks now, especially after a photo showed FA chair Debbie Hewitt presenting Infantino with a personalised England shirt during the World Cup.
For years, FA chairs and chief executives have gone along with Infantino's regime. In theory, the FA should have one of the most powerful voices in world football, but it has been effectively silent during a decade of increasingly embarrassing leadership.
Controversies Under Infantino
The endorsement came after Infantino turned World Cup football into a game of four quarters, gave Donald Trump a 'peace prize' on behalf of FIFA, allowed Saudi Arabia to be unopposed as hosts of the 2034 World Cup, sanctioned outrageous ticket prices, and oversaw a controversial half-time show. The FA should never have endorsed his re-election.
Initially, it seemed only one or two dissenters might oppose his re-election. Now, any possibility of Infantino being re-elected has been blown out of the water.
Welsh Set the Ball Rolling
The Football Association of Wales released a statement on Monday confirming its withdrawal of support. It said: "The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president for the 2027-31 term. The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football. Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."
Again, the obvious response is to wonder how he had their confidence in the first place. Nevertheless, the withdrawal of endorsements, while largely symbolic, should confirm this is the end for Infantino's reign.
Growing Opposition
UEFA has written to Infantino, demanding no paperwork relating to a scheme that would have seen FIFA sell World Cup rights to private investors is destroyed, and reserving the right to take legal action. Andy Burnham has called on him to step down.
Infantino still plans to stand for re-election at a congress in Morocco in March and would need 106 votes from the 211 member nations to stay in his job. But with UEFA and CONCACAF already releasing strong statements criticising his leadership, the chances of Infantino's time in charge of FIFA being extended are extremely slim. In fact, they are surely non-existent.
