Sweden and Finland among leading nations withdrawing Infantino re-election support

[p]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.[/p][p]FIFA's proposal 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.[/p][p][b]"At an extraordinary board meeting on Monday, SvFF has ⁠chosen not to support FIFA President Gianni Infantino in ‌the upcoming re-election,"[/b] the Swedish federation said.[/p][p]"This is after a long-term assessment of the development within FIFA and the ​organisation'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."[/p][p]It was previously reported that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/wales/YcUP0Nqp/"]Wales[/a] was the first national ​federation to formally withdraw its support for Infantino. However, it has now been confirmed that the Finnish Football Association, Suomen Palloliitto, did so back on 30th July.[/p][p][b]"The FA board's confidence in Gianni Infantino's leadership has weakened to the point that he no longer enjoys the FA's support as FIFA President. This is an independent decision by the FA and at the same time a message about the kind of leadership, governance and decision-making we expect from international football,"[/b] Finnish FA chairman Ari Lahti stated.[/p][embed guid="42336865-01f1-4e9d-8979-e7360024ad1b" url="https://x.com/Palloliitto/status/2082880158399180814" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"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 to ⁠2031 term,"[/b] the Welsh FA (FAW) said in ​a statement.[/p][p]"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.[/p][p][b]"Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept," the FAW added.[/b][/p][p]England's ‌FA will also withdraw its support for Infantino, a source familiar with the organisation said, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/serbia/8Kl6iq0i/"]Serbia[/a] followed Wales' lead: [b]"The Football Association of Serbia has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino for a new term as President of ‌FIFA,"[/b] the association said in a statement.[/p][p]"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."[/p]