La chute de l'Infantine a-t-elle commencé ?

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has become the first national football federation to publicly withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president for the term 2027–2031. The decision was confirmed by the Welsh body on Monday, citing a series of missteps in the leadership of world football, including a recent proposal to sell rights to the World Cup. In a statement released to Sky News, the FAW stated that it had formally withdrawn its backing for Infantino's candidacy, emphasizing that recent failures in governance, processes, leadership, values, relations with stakeholders, communication, and judgment had led to a loss of trust. The FAW explained further that it believed Infantino could no longer lead world football, stating that neglecting the best interests of the game was a mistake it could not accept. The decision carries particular weight given that Wales is one of eight members of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for deciding football rules. Alongside FIFA, the associations of Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have permanent seats on this board due to their historical existence prior to the formation of the global governing body. It is anticipated that other federations may follow Wales’ example. Pressure from Europe and around the world has been mounting against Infantino. Although Wales is the first national federation to explicitly withdraw its support, the European football union UEFA had already taken a firm stance earlier in the week. UEFA labeled Infantino’s plan a secret deal and issued him an ultimatum, either he would resign voluntarily or face a vote of no confidence. According to reports, all 55 UEFA member associations would vote in favor of replacing Infantino if he did not step down, and 43 votes would be needed to initiate the process. UEFA warned of a boycott of all future FIFA competitions if the proposal proceeded. Following UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the North American Concacaf have strongly opposed the plan. South America’s Conmebol requested more information, while African and Oceanian confederations will discuss the proposal during the coming week. Infantino’s controversial plan proposed the creation of a company called “FIFA Forward Enterprise” (FFE) that would manage rights to tournaments such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. Part of the control over these rights would be assumed by a consortium led by Josh Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law and close associate of Donald Trump. After facing intense backlash, Infantino admitted on Friday that the project had caused divisions, and FIFA announced it would not proceed with the proposal. The plan has also drawn political reactions. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham became the first head of government to publicly call on Infantino to resign. “This was a scandalous proposal,” Burnham said. “The very fact that such a thing was even suggested shows that the president of FIFA is not the right person to lead the organization.” The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has officially become the first national football federation to publicly withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president for the term 2027–2031. The decision was made following serious breaches of trust in Infantino’s leadership, particularly regarding the failed attempt to sell minority shares in commercial rights to the World Cup, a proposal that sparked widespread opposition among football federations. In an official statement, the FAW confirmed that it no longer supports the current FIFA president’s candidacy. “The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms that it is withdrawing its support for Mr. Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president for the period 2027 to 2031.” The statement continued by listing reasons for the decision: “Recent shortcomings in good management, processes, leadership, values, relationships with stakeholders, communication, and judgment have led us to conclude that Mr. Infantino has lost the trust of the Football Association of Wales for remaining at the helm of world football. Failure to place the interests of football first is something we cannot accept.” The FAW also confirmed that they had officially informed FIFA of their decision through formal channels. This move marks the first time a national federation has publicly and officially withdrawn its support for Infantino, potentially signaling the beginning of broader resistance ahead of the presidential elections in 2027. Infantino has faced significant challenges in maintaining his position as FIFA president. Despite initially uniting 55 European countries and effectively the world under his leadership, he now finds himself isolated as criticism grows louder. While he once appeared sympathetic to fans during his role in organizing draws for European club competitions, his recent decisions, including awarding Donald Trump a peace prize, redesigning the World Cup and club football, and announcing new expansions and the sale of World Cup shares, have turned public sentiment against him. Infantino attempted to quell the growing unrest with a diplomatic statement, claiming that his goal has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve football. However, the fire has not been extinguished. The European Union and Concacaf have openly opposed the idea, raising doubts about the leader of world football. All eyes are now on Morocco and March 18 of next year, when the 77th FIFA Congress will take place in Rabat. At that time, Infantino is expected to run for a fourth term as president of the organization. Although he received initial support from leading football bodies in Africa, Asia, and South America, it is clear that his influence is waning and trust is rapidly declining. For a vote of no confidence to be initiated, 43 members are required, but an alternative candidate for the presidency must also emerge. So far, no such candidate has appeared. Infantino’s latest proposal has been rejected by members from Europe, Asia, North and Central America, and the Caribbean, a total of 143 members. To approve the proposal, 106 votes were needed. Clearly, this crisis presents the perfect opportunity to create a concrete opposition to Infantino, and candidates for the new president must announce their candidacies by November 18. They need the support of just five members of the organization. When he took office and pretended to be the leader of world football, his task was to clean up the organization from corruption after Sepp Blatter, but from today’s perspective, his opening statement seems extremely ironic: “I will work tirelessly to return football to FIFA and to return FIFA to football.” He has saved his mandate twice, despite having no opposing candidates, and the same scenario was expected in March of next year. However, that forecast has now become uncertain, and whispers suggest that in the coming seven months, there will be a political battle for FIFA, which will actually be a battle for football itself because Infantino has been directing the most important secondary issue in the world towards personal ideas and has tried to sell what does not belong to him. The flame has spread from the peace prize awarded to the American president, through the introduction of the “hydration break” without consultation, to a half-hour program in the second half of the World Cup final. An example of suspicious ideas and decisions, whose list, although significantly larger, is already known.