Pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino continues to grow as his opponents reportedly prepare a coordinated campaign to weaken his position.
According to The Times, UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC are considering an administrative boycott if Infantino refuses to step down. The plan could involve federations refusing to attend FIFA meetings and blocking the automatic approval of decisions.
The opposition reportedly has only around 15 of FIFA’s 211 national associations supporting Infantino since the controversy surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise began. “Everyone is determined to see him go,” a source told The Times. If the pressure fails, Infantino’s opponents could even consider alternative international competitions, including a global Nations League project that UEFA reportedly discussed as early as 2017.
UEFA is also exploring legal options. The European governing body has reportedly demanded that FIFA preserve documents related to FIFA Forward Enterprise and could pursue legal action, arbitration or complaints to football authorities. The FIFA Council could also face an extraordinary meeting if enough associations support the initiative. With Infantino’s fourth-term election scheduled for March, the FIFA president now has just over six months to rebuild support.
