Division among FIFA member federations over Infantino

UEFA has kept up its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after saying the conditions it set for dropping the protest have not been met.

UEFA holds its line

The European body said on Thursday that FIFA must formally withdraw the shelved plan to sell a stake in World Cup rights and guarantee it will not be repeated. It added that it still has no confidence in Gianni Infantino’s leadership.

The row follows reports that senior FIFA officials held a private meeting at New York’s Waldorf Astoria last month to support Infantino’s proposed “FIFA Forward Enterprise” before the idea became public. The New York Times said the move bypassed the FIFA Council.

Backing splits across members

The dispute has left FIFA members divided. The Confederation of African Football has given Infantino its full support, a significant bloc with 54 members. Argentina and Mexico have also backed the 56-year-old as he seeks a fourth straight term.

The Athletic reported that several AFC members have now lined up behind Infantino too, with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates among the early supporters. Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon and Kuwait are also said to be on his side, while Saudi Arabia has yet to state its position.