Uefa to push to remove Infantino after dropping boycott

UEFA will continue its efforts to oust FIFA President Gianni Infantino, despite choosing not to go through with its threat to boycott FIFA competitions. The 55 UEFA member associations, along with European members of the FIFA Council, will receive a letter on Thursday confirming that FIFA's Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan will not be revived. This will satisfy UEFA's demands, allowing next week's FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup to take place in Poland with six European teams participating.

Despite the boycott being abandoned, UEFA remains confident that a candidate can be found to oppose Infantino in the upcoming re-election vote in March. A unity candidate is expected to be necessary, as FIFA needs 106 of the 211 member associations to approve a new president. However, UEFA has decided not to push for a vote of no confidence, as it would require 159 votes, which is considered highly unlikely.

While no candidate has been officially named, Concacaf President Victor Montagliani is seen as a strong contender, with nominations due by November 18. The outcome of the vote is anticipated to be closely contested, and even if Infantino secures re-election, it could still tarnish his presidency due to the legitimacy of his leadership being called into question.

In recent weeks, UEFA has dropped its boycott plan, prompting FIFA to welcome the move, stating that it hopes all qualified teams will compete in the upcoming Under-20 Women's World Cup. Six European teams - England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and hosts Poland - have been selected for the tournament.

Former players have expressed concerns about FIFA's leadership, with statements from a group of former players calling for change at the head of FIFA. However, a separate group of FIFA Legends, including World Cup winners and current players, have defended Infantino's work, acknowledging the positive impact he has had on the game over the past decade.