Wales Withdraws Support for FIFA President After Failed Stake Sale Plan
Wales' Decision and the Fallout from FIFA's Stake Sale Failure
Aug 3 (Reuters) - Wales said it will withdraw support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election bid for a new term from 2027-2031 after his failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial rights.
FIFA's ambitious plan to unlock up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling a roughly 20% stake in a new entity overseeing competitions including the World Cup ended in retreat on Friday after fierce resistance from stakeholders.
With the plan abandoned, attention has turned to the potential repercussions for Infantino, whose bid for another term as FIFA president could face increased scrutiny following the failed initiative.
Failure of Good Governance
Wales became the first national federation to formally withdraw its support for Infantino.
Official Statement from the Football Association of Wales
"The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr. Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA President for the 2027–2031 term," the Welsh FA said in a statement.
"The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr. Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football.
"Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."
Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.
Broader Backlash and Legal Implications
Loss of Confidence from UEFA and CONCACAF
Infantino is under unprecedented fire after regional confederations UEFA and CONCACAF said on Saturday they had lost confidence in his leadership.
Potential Legal Action and Document Preservation
The European governing body, which led the backlash to Infantino's plans and welcomed the decision to scrap it, did not confirm media reports that it was preparing to take legal action against FIFA over the issue.
UEFA said it had sent a dument presevation order, which stops the destruction of emails, files, or data when an investigation is expected.
Infantino's Leadership and Future Prospects
Re-election Prospects and Growing Dissent
Infantino had said in April he intended to seek re-election for a fourth term as FIFA chief. Since taking over from Sepp Blatter in 2016, the Swiss has been re-elected unopposed twice and appeared in control of the body.
While his re-election for the 2027-31 term had appeared a formality, experts told Reuters the backlash against the failed proposal exposed dissatisfaction among FIFA members and could complicate his path ahead of March's Congress in Morocco.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by David Holmes)