MANCHESTER – Norway’s soccer federation has called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign immediately, heightening the pressure on the already embattled leader of world soccer. This development follows Infantino’s controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup, which has sparked significant backlash.
The Norwegian federation convened a meeting on Thursday, where president Lise Klaveness announced the decision to request Infantino’s resignation. “We decided that there is no trust in Infantino now,” Klaveness stated in an interview with the Guardian. “We have been worried consistently, and there has been one more step in a worrying direction every year, every part of the year. The trust is now gone for us; there is no way back for Infantino.”
This announcement adds to the mounting challenges facing Infantino after the fallout from his failed plan to monetize World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The proposal faced immediate criticism and was ultimately abandoned after pushback from various soccer bodies.
European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, reiterated its dissatisfaction with Infantino’s leadership on Thursday, stating that its threat to boycott FIFA competitions remains active despite the president’s apology for the abandoned plan. UEFA has expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino, reflecting a broader sentiment among European federations.
Earlier this week, Infantino appeared to quell potential dissent during a summit with FIFA’s top executives in Rabat, Morocco, where he reportedly received support from those present. However, UEFA’s recent statements and Norway’s explicit call for his resignation indicate that significant discontent persists, particularly among European nations.
The English Football Association has also withdrawn its support for Infantino’s re-election, which is scheduled for March, further signifying a shift in the landscape of support for the FIFA president. Notably, Mexico’s federation has expressed its backing for Infantino, highlighting the divided opinions surrounding his leadership.
In addition to its call for Infantino’s resignation, the Norwegian federation plans to file a complaint with FIFA’s ethics committee, addressing issues related to FFE, a controversial peace prize awarded to Donald Trump, and a suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban at the World Cup. Klaveness emphasized the need for extraordinary measures to foster meaningful change within FIFA.
As the situation unfolds, the future of Gianni Infantino’s presidency hangs in the balance, with calls for accountability growing louder. The repercussions of this crisis could have lasting implications for FIFA and its governance.
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James Robson is at @jamesalanrobson
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
