The Football Association has launched a devastating attack on Gianni Infantino, accusing the FIFA president of overseeing a “shabby, back-room, opaque deal” and withdrawing its support for his re-election in an explosive move that has sent shockwaves through world football.
England have joined the growing rebellion against Infantino’s leadership, with the FA confirming it will formally withdraw its backing for his fourth term as FIFA president. The dramatic escalation comes just days after Infantino was forced into a humiliating U-turn on his controversial £15bn plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The English Football Association has officially withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president, deepening the crisis engulfing football’s world governing body. The FA’s decision came after UEFA issued a scathing statement declaring it had “lost confidence” in Infantino’s leadership, describing his failed World Cup sell-off as a “shabby, back-room, opaque deal [which] he hatched and tried to force through”.
The FA is set to write to Infantino confirming it no longer supports his bid for re-election next March. The move follows Wales becoming the first nation to publicly withdraw backing for Infantino, with Serbia and Finland also joining the revolt.
The crisis erupted after Infantino unveiled plans to create a new $20 billion subsidiary called “FIFA Forward Enterprise” and sell a 20% stake to private Investors. He offered each of FIFA’s 211 member associations an initial $20 million (£15m) if they backed his proposal. The backlash was immediate and ferocious, with UEFA threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
THE JORDAN BLACKMAIL ALLEGATION
While England have stopped short of using the word “blackmail,” the Jordan Football Association has gone much further. Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino and FIFA of “blackmail” in an explosive statement released today.
Prince Ali claimed FIFA had withheld financial obligations to pressure Jordan into supporting Infantino’s re-election. “We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now,” he declared. “But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that”.
The accusation is the most serious yet levelled against Infantino. It suggests the FIFA president is willing to use his position to punish nations that refuse to comply with his agenda.
THE FALLOUT
Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned in protest over the plan, calling it “a bad deal for FIFA’s Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game” [4†L18-L19]. FIFA’s chief operating officer accused Infantino of a “unilateral exercise of power” that displayed a lack of “trust”, “transparency”, “discernment”, “good governance” and “respect”.
UEFA has confirmed it is “actively considering” legal action against Infantino, including arbitration cases and regulatory complaints. UEFA also wrote to Infantino confirming it has lost confidence in his leadership.
ENGLAND’S ROLE
The FA’s decision to withdraw support for Infantino is a devastating blow to the FIFA president. The English FA is one of the most influential members of FIFA’s 211-nation congress. The FA, led by its chair Debbie Hewitt – who is a FIFA vice-president and member of the FIFA Council – is understood to be working behind the scenes on forming alliances.
The FA’s decision comes after the British government called on football’s governing bodies to withdraw from FIFA. The Liberal Democrats urged the FA and UEFA to withdraw from FIFA, accusing Infantino of “destroying the integrity of the beautiful game”.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Infantino is due to stand for re-election in March 2027. He was expected to win by a landslide, with no serious challenger emerging. That is no longer certain.
If England and other European nations follow through on their threats, the 2030 World Cup would be left without its biggest draws. Six of the top 10 ranked teams in men’s and women’s football are from Europe. The tournament would be “invalid” without England, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy.
THE REACTION
England fans are furious. One supporter said: “Infantino is destroying football. England should walk away and never look back.” Another added: “The FA have finally grown a pair. This is the right decision.” A third fan wrote: “England should host a rival World Cup. FIFA doesn’t own football.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
England have withdrawn support for Infantino. Jordan have accused him of blackmail. UEFA is considering legal action. Wales, Serbia and Finland have joined the revolt. Infantino’s reign is crumbling. And the biggest crisis in football history is only just beginning.
