Just a few months ago, more than 200 FIFA members, including almost all UEFA-affiliated associations, had sent letters of support for G. Infantino’s candidacy.
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However, the situation changed after the summer scandal regarding FIFA’s plans to transfer part of its most important commercial rights to private investors.
FIFA had planned to establish a separate business unit called “FIFA Forward Enterprise” and sell 20% of the commercial rights related to the World Cup to investors for about 3.7 billion euros.
Under the proposed model, FIFA members would have received about 17.6 million euros each in the next funding cycle, and if the deal was approved, this amount could have doubled.
Nevertheless, the plan received very strong opposition. UEFA-affiliated associations categorically opposed it, and some even considered the possibility of boycotting the World Cup.
Eventually, FIFA abandoned its plan and apologized to all 211 members of the organization.
After this conflict, the political support previously expressed for G. Infantino also began to crumble.
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All British Isles football associations, as well as Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Serbia, and Israel, have already announced the withdrawal of their letters of support.
On August 14, Estonia joined them.
“A few months ago, more than 200 associations worldwide, including almost all UEFA members, submitted a letter of support for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for FIFA president. After FIFA announced its plan to involve private investors this summer, UEFA members took a joint position and completely opposed this idea. Considering this, nearly 20 UEFA members have already withdrawn their letters of support, and Estonia also decided to do the same on August 14,” confirmed EJL public relations specialist Martti Kallas.
He emphasized that Estonia’s decision is not an isolated step but part of the collective position of UEFA members.
“As mentioned, UEFA has a common and clear position on these issues, supported by all its members. Therefore, in this case, there is no point in singling out one association or another – UEFA acts together, with the support and mandate of its members. Our position is the same as stated in UEFA’s August 10 statement,” added M. Kallas.
The next FIFA presidential elections are scheduled for 2027, so the growing withdrawal of associations that previously supported G. Infantino could become a serious political signal ahead of the upcoming battle for the post.
