Senior Fifa official withdraws support from embattled Infantino

BUDAPEST: A senior official from the Hungarian Football Federation has severed ties with Fifa president Gianni Infantino, citing a string of controversial decisions surrounding the 2022 World Cup. Sandor Csanyi, vice-president and council member of the Hungarian Football Federation, expressed his loss of confidence in Infantino by stating that the president has lost the confidence he previously placed in him.

Csanyi's letter, seen by AFP, highlighted several controversial decisions made by Infantino, including plans to outsource World Cup competitions to external parties. The most significant blow to Csanyi's support for Infantino was the unexpected dismissal of Kevin Lamour, the controversial COO who had broken ranks with senior Fifa directors and criticized the president over the scrapped plan to allow private investment in World Cups.

Csanyi emphasized that this dismissal pointed to significant shortcomings in Infantino's professional judgment, ethical standards, and leadership. Meanwhile, Uefa vice-president Laura McAllister expressed concern over the dismissal of Lamour, stating that it sent a deeply troubling message to those advocating for change within the football organization.