UEFA prepares criminal complaint against Gianni Infantino over World Cup sale

UEFA has decided not to continue its boycott of FIFA competitions despite removing the threat to withdraw from the organization. The 55 member associations, along with Europe's members on the FIFA Council, will be presented with a letter on Thursday confirming the withdrawal of the boycott. This will enable the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup to proceed next week in Poland, featuring six European teams.

UEFA is confident that a suitable candidate will emerge to oppose Infantino in the upcoming re-election in March, which is expected to be a closely contested vote. A vote of no confidence, which required three-quarters of the member associations, is deemed improbable. While no candidate has been announced, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is considered a strong contender.

Nominations must be submitted by November 18. Despite the decision to end the boycott, UEFA acknowledges that Infantino's presidency could face significant damage, compromising his legitimacy. Former players have expressed mixed opinions on FIFA's current leadership. A group of former players, including Mikael Silvestre, Lucy Bronze, Emmanuel Petit, David James, Cafu, Christian Vieri, Pepe, and Esteban Cambiasso, have published statements urging change at the helm of FIFA.

However, other former players, such as Brazil's Cafu, Italy's Christian Vieri, Portugal's Pepe, and Argentina's Esteban Cambiasso, have supported Infantino, praising his efforts in creating representation for players worldwide.