FAW withdraws support for Gianni Infantino as it slams ‘failure we cannot accept’

The FAW has reportedly revoked its support for Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president following his controversial plans to sell stakes in the World Cup

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The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has withdrawn its support of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s re-election.

The FAW has become the first national governing body to publicly pull its backing of Infantino, just days after he dramatically U-turned on proposals to ‘sell off’ major competitions like the World Cup. FIFA planned to create a private company, open to investment, to run its headline competitions to raise billions of pounds.

It was reportedly going to be led by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. After Infantino’s plans were revealed by the media, before some high-ranking FIFA officials were even informed of his intentions, he faced a severe backlash.

UEFA, the organisation which runs European football, said it would boycott FIFA competitions until the plans were killed, and CONCACAF, its North American counterpart, also criticised the plans. Key advisers to Infantino also resigned in protest.

Italian Infantino is due for re-election in March, but his future at the top of world football looks in doubt after this latest scandal.

Now, the FAW has heaped pressure on his tenure, officially withdrawing its support for Infantino’s re-election, according to reports.

The association told Sky News it “hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA President for the 2027-2031 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.”

“The Football Association of Wales has written to FIFA to inform them of their position.”

Other British football associations are yet to follow suit, but all approved the UEFA boycott. However, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has gone one step further and said Infantino is ‘the wrong man’ to lead FIFA.