Italy’s national football federation (FIGC) said on Wednesday it has withdrawn its support for embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
The move comes as a host of European national associations, including England, Ireland and Wales, already scrapped their backing of Infantino who is seeking re-election at next year’s FIFA Congress.
“This decision is intended to clearly and transparently express the FIGC’s position… regarding the recent initiatives promoted by the FIFA president concerning the governance and development of international competitions,” FIGC wrote in a statement.
Infantino has come under increasing pressure to step down as head of world football’s governing body over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
UEFA, which oversees European football, has threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions.
“We will continue to work alongside UEFA and the other European federations to promote a vision of football based on merit, solidarity, sustainability and the central role of the fans,” said FIGC head Giovanni Malago.
“We identify with a model of dialogue, listening and shared responsibility which has, to date, enabled football to grow, innovate and, at the same time, defend its founding principles.”
Infantino, 56, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
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