UEFA is poised to remove the threat of a FIFA boycott following Italy’s withdrawal of support for Infantino
UEFA is poised to retract its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments following assurances that proposals to sell stakes in the World Cup and other significant competitions will not be revisited, sources familiar with the discussions informed Reuters on Wednesday, as Italy retracted its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Italy has joined the ranks of national football federations distancing themselves from Infantino. Meanwhile, European Leagues President Claudius Schaefer expressed to The Athletic that the FIFA chief’s future at the organization is uncertain and emphasized the need for reform within world soccer’s governing body.
The action comes after FIFA’s choice in July to retract a proposal that faced backlash from UEFA’s 55 member associations, which decided to boycott FIFA competitions once the specifics of the plan became known last month.
A FIFA spokesperson announced that all qualified teams will take part in next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, marking the first significant tournament potentially impacted by the ongoing standoff. “FIFA is pleased that all qualified teams will be participating in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup,” the spokesperson informed Reuters. “FIFA firmly believes that football can unite, even in difficult situations, and eagerly anticipates welcoming all teams and players to Poland.
We are dedicated to enhancing the global development of the game by means of our competitions, the FIFA Forward program, and our various initiatives, while maintaining open communication with the Confederations and stakeholders.
UEFA officials are anticipated to inform the governing body’s executive committee and the presidents of the majority of its member associations during a meeting in Monaco on Thursday that the criteria for lifting the boycott have been satisfied, according to sources.
UEFA has requested the retraction of the proposal and guarantees that similar initiatives will not be attempted in the future. “It’s not a defeat for UEFA; it’s about the necessity of protecting young players’ unique opportunities. The actions and insistence on change will persist,” a source familiar with the discussions informed Reuters.
Italy has withdrawn its support.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has retracted its endorsement of Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidential election set for March next year. “This decision aims to clearly and transparently convey the FIGC’s stance—in complete alignment with UEFA and its president Aleksander Ceferin—regarding the recent initiatives put forth by the FIFA president related to the governance and development of international competitions,” stated the FIGC.
Pressure on Infantino has continued to increase, as Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, stated that the federation will decide its position at its executive committee meeting next month.
Diallo told L’Equipe on Wednesday, “I believe we achieved a victory, since FIFA’s project was withdrawn. There is now a political question, and several federations, as well as the UEFA president, whom I have spoken to on several occasions, have expressed their views on it. ” I wanted the FFF’s official position to be determined at its next executive committee meeting, on September 10.
Infantino is facing pressure to resign from three confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean.
The regional governing bodies have deliberated on a possible vote of no confidence in Infantino, who intends to pursue re-election for a fourth term next year and is expected to encounter significant opposition.
Infantino, who has backing from the African and South American confederations, has aimed to marginalize them and connect directly with individual members.
