Pressure is mounting on FIFA president Gianni Infantino as more football associations withdraw their support, but CAF president Patrice Motsepe believes any decision on his future should be left to FIFA’s 211 member associations.
Ireland became the latest federation to distance itself from Infantino on Thursday, following similar decisions by the English and Welsh football associations. The Football Association of Ireland said it had rescinded a letter of support issued earlier this year after recent developments raised concerns about FIFA’s governance, transparency and lack of meaningful consultation.
The growing opposition follows controversy surrounding Infantino’s abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The plan triggered a wave of criticism and widened divisions within world football.
UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation intensified the pressure this week in a joint letter which accused Infantino of damaging trust. The three governing bodies said trust is broken when an individual places himself above the collective that gave him authority.
There have been reports that some of Infantino’s opponents want him to resign before next March, when he could seek another term as FIFA president. UEFA has also reportedly threatened to boycott the World Cup and Club World Cup in protest over the proposed investment scheme.
Motsepe, however, has rejected calls for Infantino’s removal outside FIFA’s established electoral process. Speaking to Sky News on Thursday, the CAF president and FIFA vice-president said those who no longer have confidence in Infantino should challenge him through an election.
“If you want to take him out, go for elections; let the 211 member associations decide,” Motsepe said.
According to Motsepe, the vote would provide the clearest indication of whether Infantino still has the confidence of FIFA’s membership. He also urged critics to allow the FIFA process to continue, noting that elections are already scheduled for next year.
Motsepe held talks with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in Salzburg during Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup. He said he remained cautious about judging the controversy based on the different accounts surrounding it and argued that everyone involved deserved an opportunity to be heard.
CAF has already backed Infantino, while Motsepe maintained that no FIFA rules were breached during discussions over the World Cup proposal because any final deal would have required approval from member associations.
Still, he admitted that there were concerns that needed to be addressed. Motsepe said Infantino had apologised and acknowledged that the process may have been handled differently.
With opposition continuing to grow, the battle over Infantino’s leadership appears far from settled. Motsepe’s position, however, remains clear: his future should be decided at the ballot box, not through pressure to resign.
