Israel has become the latest Fifa member to officially withdraw support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as president. The move comes in a letter sent by Moshe Zuares, head of the Israel Football Association (IFA), and adds to growing opposition following Infantino's decision to sack his chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour.
IFA cites 'unprecedented crisis of confidence'
In the letter, seen by the Guardian, Zuares says recent events have triggered an “unprecedented crisis of confidence” between the visions of Uefa and Fifa regarding global governance. He describes the rift as “profound, substantive, and principled, and compelling all stakeholders to reconsider the path forward”.
The decision, described as unanimous after a meeting of the IFA's board, means Israel retracts its previous letter of support. Zuares confirmed: “We have no choice but to retract our previous letter of support, in the sincere hope that fruitful dialogue among all parties will eventually restore a shared, proper vision and direction for world football.”
Infantino's efforts with Palestine
The IFA's move is not a surprise, given its membership in Uefa since 1994 and Zuares's seat on the European governing body's executive committee. However, it is a blow to Infantino, who has invested significant political capital in improving sporting relations with Palestine.
At Fifa's congress in April, Infantino tried to stage a photo involving the two delegations in Vancouver, but the Palestinian Football Federation president, Jibril Rajoub, refused to stand alongside IFA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman. Despite this, Infantino wants Israel and Palestine to compete in the first match of a new under-15 tournament in the United States next month.
Lamour's sacking deepens opposition
Israel's intervention follows the withdrawal of support from other Uefa members, including England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. It also comes after confirmation on Monday night that Lamour had left Fifa, having been deeply critical of Infantino's Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
Lamour had said prophetically on 31 July: “If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”
Laura McAllister, a Uefa executive committee member and former Wales Women international, said the sacking “sends a deeply troubling message” and casts serious doubt on efforts to recalibrate Fifa after the FFE scandal. McAllister, who worked with Lamour before his move to Fifa in 2024, praised him for standing up to Infantino's scheme. “During the shabby events of the past weeks, he showed himself to be a courageous advocate for the most important stakeholders in football,” she said. “Kevin’s sacking seriously weakens Fifa’s administration, while undermining this unique opportunity to shift the culture at Fifa and to reset the organisation on sporting values, not simply commercial and financial ones.”
She added: “Fifa is not the president, it is the whole football family. As I have said repeatedly, world football needs strong, principled, independent leaders who are prepared to speak up, challenge when necessary, and stand firmly by their values and those of the global game. Instead, the loss of a leader of Kevin’s calibre sends a deeply troubling message to all of us seeking change.”
