The short version
- The Scottish FA has formally declared it will not vote for Gianni Infantino in his upcoming re-election bid, joining England, Wales, and Ireland in withdrawing support.
- The decision follows widespread criticism of a failed proposal to sell commercial rights to FIFA competitions, which UEFA and other confederations argue compromised the integrity of global football governance.
- While African, South American, and Oceanian bodies largely back Infantino, significant fractures within these groups suggest his re-election in early 2027 remains highly uncertain.
The Scottish Football Association has officially withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino, signaling that it will not vote for his re-election as FIFA president. Chief Executive Ian Maxwell confirmed the stance to BBC Sport, stating that the organization has lost confidence in the current leadership. This move aligns Scotland with a growing bloc of European nations, including England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, which have already declared their opposition to Infantino’s continued tenure. The decision underscores a deepening rift within global football governance as the next presidential election approaches in early 2027.
The catalyst for this shift is the controversy surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise, a proposed company intended to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, including the World Cups. The plan involved selling a 21% stake to a private investment firm, a move that sparked intense backlash from several continental confederations. UEFA led the charge against the proposal, threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions if it proceeded. Facing mounting pressure, FIFA ultimately abandoned the initiative, but the damage to trust appears irreversible for many member associations.
Maxwell emphasized that the Scottish FA’s position has been consistent since a meeting of 55 UEFA associations, where a collective lack of confidence in FIFA’s leadership was expressed. He noted that unity among these nations provides a stronger voice than individual dissent. The Scottish FA fully endorses the statement issued by these associations, which criticized the judgment and transparency of FIFA’s executive decisions. Maxwell dismissed suggestions that the delay in publicizing this stance was due to President Mike Mulraney’s role on the FIFA finance committee, asserting that the decision was made independently based on governance principles.
An open letter signed by presidents and general secretaries from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation accused FIFA of breaking trust through deception. While the letter did not explicitly name Infantino, sources indicate it serves as a call for him to resign with dignity. The confederations argued that the controversy was fundamentally about the integrity of the game and those elected to lead it. They criticized FIFA’s commitment to present an internal report on the failed enterprise at the next council meeting in October, insisting instead that an independent third party should conduct the review to ensure impartiality.
The global football community remains sharply divided on the issue. Confederations representing Africa, South America, and Oceania have largely backed Infantino, creating a geopolitical split within FIFA’s 211 member associations. However, this support is not monolithic. Within Oceania, New Zealand has announced it will not follow its confederation’s lead in supporting Infantino. In CONCACAF, Mexico, Grenada, and St Kitts and Nevis have broken ranks with the majority of their regional peers to back the president. Similarly, eight Asian nations, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have split from their confederation to champion Infantino’s cause.
These internal fractures raise serious questions about Infantino’s ability to govern effectively, even if he secures victory in the upcoming election. The FIFA Council itself appears divided, with 36 heads of confederations and national associations plus Infantino holding seats. Preliminary discussions among the opposing confederations have touched on the possibility of breakaway competitions should Infantino remain in power, though substantive talks have not yet begun. The threat of such a split looms large as the first test of UEFA’s boycott warning approaches with the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
The upcoming tournament, featuring five European nations including England, will serve as an early indicator of whether UEFA’s threats carry weight. If European teams withdraw or face disruptions, it could signal a broader destabilization of FIFA’s authority. Meanwhile, no formal challenger has emerged to contest Infantino’s position before the November 18 deadline for candidate nominations. This vacuum leaves the opposition without a unified alternative, complicating their strategy for removing him from office.
Legal warnings have also been issued by UEFA, cautioning FIFA against deleting or destroying any documents related to the abandoned commercial plans. This demand highlights the severity of the governance concerns and the desire for accountability. As the football world navigates this period of uncertainty, the outcome of the 2027 election will likely depend on whether Infantino can consolidate support among his traditional backers while addressing the legitimate concerns raised by European and other dissenting nations. The coming months will be critical in determining the future direction of global football administration.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Scottish FA withdraws support for Fifa president Infantino
