Pressure is mounting on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with senior football leaders reportedly prepared to explore the creation of a rival international competition if efforts to remove him from office fail.
The reported move follows the collapse of FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell stakes in the commercial rights of its major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, a plan that sparked fierce opposition from several continental governing bodies.
According to The Times, officials from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are discussing a range of measures to challenge Infantino’s leadership, with the possibility of launching an alternative global tournament among the options being considered.
Rival competition emerges as possible option
The report claims UEFA already possesses a blueprint for a worldwide competition after commissioning plans for a global league in 2017, although the project was never implemented.
A source quoted by The Times suggested football’s leading confederations are united in their determination to bring about a change in FIFA’s leadership.
“Everyone is very determined he needs to go, and if not we will take all the necessary steps [to remove him from power]. That includes future international competitions — would the big South American countries prefer to play France or Spain, or Lebanon or Djibouti? Everyone is very determined, there are no backward steps now.”
If Infantino proceeds with his expected bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, his opponents are also said to be considering a “governance boycott” by refusing to participate in FIFA Council and committee meetings.
Opposition to Infantino grows
Several national associations, including the Football Associations of England and Wales, have reportedly withdrawn their support for Infantino’s re-election following the abandoned investment proposal.
UEFA has also intensified its response by threatening legal action against FIFA over the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
In a formal notice, the European governing body demanded that FIFA preserve all documents and electronic records related to the proposal while it considers possible legal and regulatory proceedings.