UEFA, AFC and Concacaf consider motion against Infantino

European football governing body UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) are considering submitting a motion of no confidence against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in an effort to force him out of office.

“There is no way out. Either he will leave peacefully, deciding not to run in March, or he will leave the hard way,” a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

According to FIFA’s statutes, an extraordinary congress can be convened at any time by a decision of the FIFA Council or following a written request from one-fifth of FIFA’s 211 member associations, with specific items included on the agenda. However, the statutes do not establish a formal procedure for a motion of no confidence against the FIFA president, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

Infantino has come under increasing pressure following the disclosure of a plan to sell part of the World Cup rights to private investors. Although the proposal was withdrawn after a backlash and FIFA apologized for the way the matter was handled, the controversy has intensified tensions ahead of the March election, in which the Swiss official intends to seek another term as head of world football’s governing body.

UEFA has led the opposition to Infantino, with support from the European Club Association, although the latter does not have voting rights within FIFA.

So far, however, no challenger has emerged for the FIFA presidency. The deadline for submitting candidacies is November 18.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), meanwhile, has publicly expressed its support for Infantino, as have several Gulf Arab countries, including Qatar.

Photo: FIFA