The Italian soccer federation has joined other nations in withdrawing its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The decision was announced by the FIGC in a statement, citing concerns over recent FIFA governance and international competition development initiatives.
Infantino faced mounting pressure to resign following his now-abandoned proposal to sell shares of the World Cup to private equity investors. This move led to accusations of deception from three continental confederations and a threat of boycott from UEFA.
FIGC President Giovanni Malagò emphasized the federation’s commitment to working with UEFA and other European bodies to promote a soccer model based on merit, solidarity, sustainability, and fan engagement.
England, Wales, Ireland, and Norway have also withdrawn their support for Infantino’s reelection bid. Despite previous expectations of an unopposed reelection in Morocco next year, FIFA has set a deadline for potential challengers to come forward by November 18.
While some member federations back Infantino, including 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, Qatar, and Lebanon, others like Saudi Arabia have not publicly supported him despite their close ties.
UEFA is expected to formally retract its boycott threat against FIFA competitions following assurances that Infantino will not revive the controversial World Cup sell-off plan. This development will allow European teams to participate in upcoming tournaments, including the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Infantino’s proposal for a subsidiary controlling FIFA commercial rights was met with global criticism, leading to its swift rejection and subsequent backlash from key soccer bodies. UEFA had expressed a lack of confidence in Infantino’s leadership earlier this month, signaling potential opposition to his reelection in March 2023.