Wales FA withdraws support for Infantino re-election after FIFA stake plan

Wales is the first football federation to formally withdraw support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid after a botched World Cup investment plan was scrapped.Wales said it will ‌withdraw support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid for a new term ⁠from 2027-2031, after ⁠his failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights.FIFA’s ambitious plan to unlock up to $4.2bn from private investors by ⁠selling a roughly 20 percent stake in a new entity overseeing competitions, including the World Cup, ended in retreat on Friday after fierce resistance from stakeholders.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Cricket: India pace star Bumrah ruled out of tour of Sri Lankalist 2 of 2Golf: Thorbjornsen wins first PGA Tour title at Rocket Classicend of listWith the plan abandoned, attention ⁠has turned to the potential repercussions for Infantino, whose bid for another term as FIFA president could face increased scrutiny following the failed initiative.Failure of good governanceWales became the first national federation to formally withdraw its support for Infantino.“The Wales" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="164259" data-entity-type="organization">Football Association of Wales hereby confirms ‌its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr. Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA President for the 2027–2031 term,” the Welsh FA said in a statement on Monday.“The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr. Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football.“Failing to put the ⁠best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept.”FIFA are yet to publicly comment on the Wales statement.Infantino is under unprecedented fire after regional confederations for Europe (UEFA) and North and Central America (CONCACAF) said on Saturday they had lost confidence in his leadership.