Swiss FA withdraws support for Fifa chief Infantino

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) has announced it will withdraw its support for incumbent Fifa president Gianni Infantino in the upcoming presidential election, following his controversial proposal to establish a commercial subsidiary to manage major Fifa events like the World Cup and Club World Cup. Several other leading European national associations have also distanced themselves from Infantino, citing concerns over leadership, governance, transparency, and decision-making processes at the world governing body.

The SFV's decision is particularly significant as both Fifa and Uefa, the body governing European football, are based in Switzerland. Infantino's proposal, known as the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, aimed to allow private investors to acquire stakes in a company created under the initiative, but faced widespread backlash and was quickly abandoned.

SFV president Peter Knabel expressed disappointment in Infantino's proposals and the subsequent lifting of a red-carded US forward's suspension during the World Cup, citing the need for greater transparency and accountability. Uefa, led by Spain and featuring football powerhouses such as France, England, and Germany, is strongly opposing Infantino and openly calls for his removal.

Despite the setback, Infantino retains the backing of 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia, as well as the African Football Confederation (CAF) and South America's Confederation of North, South and Central American Football (CONMEBOL). Candidate nominations for the Fifa presidential election scheduled for next March must be submitted by November 18, with Infantino as the sole candidate at present.