FIFA row deepens as Wales withdraws support for Infantino's re-election bid

Wales has become the first nation to publicly pull out its support for Gianni Infantino’s presidential re-election bid, indicating the deepening of FIFA row based on World Cup sell-off plan.

The announcement shows a massive loss of Infantino’s leadership as a president following the global outrage triggered by the plan to sell World Cup investment stakes to private investment firms.

As a result of backlash including UEFA’s threat to boycott the World Cup, the world’s football governing body dropped this plan.

The Football Association of Wales announced 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,” it added.

“Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept.”

Earlier, UEFA has also threatened Infantino with legal action over a controversial sale scheme. According to a report by The Telegraph, European football’s governing body issued a stern warning cautioning Infantino against destroying any documents related to the initiative.

Correspondence regarding the matter was reportedly sent to FIFA as well as several potential investors and stakeholders, including Joshua Kushner, Greg Maffei, JP Morgan, and OpenEconomics.

In April, Infantino announced the FIFA presidential re-election bid for another term.