FIFA president Gianni Infantino has arrived in Morocco for a vital series of crisis meetings as pressure on him intensifies, with Portugal great Luis Figo becoming the latest high-profile figure to call for his resignation.
Infantino summoned senior FIFA officials to the organisation’s regional office in Sale after plans to sell stakes in the World Cup, reportedly worth £3.1bn, were leaked last week.
The proposals were later withdrawn following widespread opposition, including resistance from within FIFA itself.
UEFA and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) are calling for Infantino to step down. UEFA has also formally announced that it no longer supports the FIFA president.
The campaign against Infantino gained further momentum after Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, president of the Jordan Football Association, accused him of blackmail. Jordan is the first Asian country to rebel against Infantino.
Jordan has become the 91st member association to take action against him, assuming all national associations belonging to UEFA and CONCACAF adopt the positions of their respective confederations. Infantino’s opponents need the backing of 106 national associations to remove him from office.
A car carrying Infantino was seen arriving at FIFA’s Africa regional office in Sale on Wednesday morning, according to the British newspaper the Daily Mail.
The meeting in Morocco comes as attempts to rally public support for the FIFA president appear to have failed. According to The Times, people close to Infantino tried to persuade the group known as the “FIFA Legends” to publicly declare their support for him.
Those efforts were unsuccessful.
The group includes several former international football stars who are paid to take part in official events and activities organised by FIFA. Its refusal to issue a public show of support represents another setback for Infantino as he confronts opposition from major football bodies and national associations.
The dispute follows the leaked proposal involving the sale of stakes in World Cup-related assets, which triggered the latest crisis around Infantino’s leadership. Although he subsequently backed away from the plans, the move did not prevent UEFA, CONCACAF and individual national associations from escalating their calls for change.
Infantino now faces a decisive test in Morocco, where the pressure from European and North and Central American football authorities is being matched by a growing number of national associations. His opponents remain short of the 106 votes required to force him from the presidency, but the latest developments have added to the uncertainty surrounding his position.
The failed attempt to secure backing from the FIFA Legends group has also deprived Infantino of support from some of the most recognisable former players associated with the organisation. Luis Figo’s decision to join those demanding his resignation has further increased the political pressure before the crisis talks in Sale.
