Gianni Infantino Faces Growing Revolt from Irish Football Associations
The walls are closing in on Gianni Infantino.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has formally pulled its backing for the embattled Fifa president, adding yet another European voice to the growing revolt against his leadership. Across the border, the Irish Football Association (IFA) has stopped short of the same move, but has nailed its colours firmly to Uefa’s mast.
Irish support evaporates
Uefa, along with Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation, lit the fuse on Monday with a stinging open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust “through deception”. The flashpoint is his now-abandoned attempt to sell a stake in Fifa’s commercial operations to a private investment company – a move that has shaken confidence in his bid for a fourth term at the top of the global game.
The Welsh FA was the first of the home nations to walk away from Infantino last week. The English FA followed. Now the FAI has joined them.
Having previously indicated its support before the post-World Cup storm gathered, the FAI confirmed it has written to Fifa to withdraw that backing.
“Following an FAI board meeting, the decision was taken to rescind the letter of support that the Association supplied earlier this year,” it said.
The governing body for football in the Republic of Ireland stressed it values Fifa’s backing on the ground, but made clear that recent events have crossed a line.
“The Association is grateful for the support that Fifa provides to Irish football, but recent events have raised significant concerns regarding governance, transparency and the lack of meaningful consultation.
“Considering the governance challenges that the FAI has had to overcome in recent years, the Association feels a particular obligation to advocate for and uphold best practice.”
For an organisation still rebuilding its own credibility after years of turmoil, the message is pointed: if we had to clean up our house, so do you.
Northern Ireland backs Uefa line
North of the border, the IFA has chosen a more cautious route – but the direction of travel is clear.
While it has not formally withdrawn support for Infantino, it acknowledged the “wider concerns” around his presidency and confirmed it is backing Uefa’s stance.
“We take our responsibilities as a member association of both Uefa and Fifa seriously,” an IFA spokesperson said.
“We support the current Uefa position on the matter and will continue to engage constructively on issues relating to football governance.
“We are of course aware of the recent developments and wider concerns within the football community. We are considering these matters carefully and will continue to engage through the appropriate governance structures and channels.
“At this stage, we have no further comment.”
The words are measured. The implication is not. With Europe’s biggest and smallest associations lining up against the Fifa president, and confederations on three continents accusing him of deception, Infantino’s grip on power looks shakier than at any point in his tenure.
The question now is not who has moved first, but who will be the last to stand by him.
