Serbia, Sweden follow Wales in withdrawing support

The national soccer federations of Serbia, Sweden and Wales withdrew their support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's re-election bid on Monday and England's is expected to do the same.

The backlash against the head of world soccer's ruling body has intensified following his failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.

FIFA's proposal to unlock up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling a roughly 20 percent stake in a new entity overseeing competitions including the World Cup ended in retreat on Friday after fierce resistance from stakeholders.

"The Football Association of Serbia has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino for a new term as President of FIFA," the federation said in a statement.

"We remind that we provided Mr Infantino with our support on May 25 of this year in written form, but after carefully reviewing the events that, in the recent period, have seriously damaged the image and reputation of both FIFA and its President, this is the only logical and rational decision."

Sweden followed suit.

"At an extraordinary board meeting on Monday, SvFF has chosen not to support FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming re-election," the Swedish federation said.

"This is after a long-term assessment of the development within FIFA and the organization's leadership.

"The decision is based on recurring shortcomings in governance, transparency and management, which means that trust in Gianni Infantino's leadership no longer exists."

Earlier, Wales became the first national federation to formally withdraw its support for Infantino.

"The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino for reelection as FIFA President for the 2027 to 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."

England's FA will also withdraw its support for Infantino, a source familiar with the organization said.

Seeking support

Infantino has sought support from United States President Donald Trump, the New York Post reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The Post said Infantino had repeatedly tried and failed to reach the president by phone since the proposal collapsed on Friday, as well as attempting to initiate private talks with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and that the FIFA chief felt "isolated" by an avalanche of negative media coverage.

FIFA had no immediate comment, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from reporters.

Infantino is under unprecedented pressure after regional confederations UEFA and CONCACAF said on Saturday they had lost confidence in his leadership.

Infantino said in April that he intended to seek re-election for a fourth term as FIFA chief.

Since taking over from his Swiss compatriot Sepp Blatter in 2016, Infantino has been re-elected unopposed twice.

While his re-election for the 2027 to 2031 term had appeared a formality, experts told reporters that the fallout from the failed proposal exposed dissatisfaction among FIFA members, and could complicate his path before the Congress in Morocco in March.

Legal action

European soccer body UEFA has threatened FIFA with legal action over Infantino's failed scheme, and said any potential evidence should not be destroyed.

Lawyers for UEFA have informed FIFA that the European body is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints ... arising out of, and in connection with, the FFE (FIFA Forward Enterprise) plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters."

The letter dated Friday from the legal firm Dechert in New York was seen Monday by reporters.

The letter named 18 FIFA executives who it said should retain data, documents and electronic messages as potential evidence.

They include Infantino, Zurich-based chief finance officer Thomas Peyer and Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal and Monaco coaching great who is currently FIFA's head of global soccer development.

"UEFA puts you on formal notice that any destruction, deletion, alteration, concealment or loss of relevant materials following receipt of this notice — or following any earlier date on which you were, or reasonably should have been, aware that proceedings were anticipated — may constitute spoliation of evidence," the letter said.

The Swedish soccer federation confirmed Monday that UEFA is actively looking "to come up with an alternative candidate" for FIFA president at the next election, which is scheduled in March.

On Saturday, UEFA signaled it wants to end Infantino's decade-long presidency, saying he had lost the confidence of world soccer and that "no option should be off the table".

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