Israel withdraws support for Infantino

Israel has become the latest FIFA member to officially withdraw its support for the re-election of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a letter sent by Israel Football Association (IFA) chairman Moshe Zuares, cited by The Guardian.

Gianni Infantino’s decision to dismiss Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour after the Frenchman criticized a plan to sell stakes related to the World Cup has strengthened opposition to the FIFA president, with efforts to force him out expected to intensify in the coming days, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

In his letter, seen by The Guardian, Zuares said recent events had triggered an “unprecedented crisis of confidence” between UEFA and FIFA over global governance, adding that the rift was “deep, substantial and principled and compels all stakeholders to reconsider the way forward.”

In a decision he described as unanimous following an IFA board meeting, Zuares confirmed: “We have no choice but to withdraw our previous letter of support, in the sincere hope that fruitful dialogue between all parties will ultimately restore a common and appropriate vision and direction for world football.”

Israel’s intervention follows the withdrawal of support by other UEFA members, including England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and came after confirmation on Monday evening that Lamour had left FIFA following his strong criticism of Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.

“If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I will sleep well tonight,” Lamour said prophetically in a statement on July 31.

Infantino is facing mounting pressure over his now-abandoned attempt to create a company that would manage the commercial rights to all FIFA competitions, including the World Cups, with 21 percent of the shares set to be sold to a private investment company.

Photo: FIFA