European backlash grows as Scottish FA withdraws Infantino support

In the boardroom of the Scottish Football Association on Monday, chief executive Ian Maxwell announced that the Scottish FA will withdraw its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, citing a lack of transparency over a plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors.

European FAs pull support

A number of European FAs – including the Football Association of Ireland as well as England and Wales – had already sent letters stating their intention to back Infantino for re‑election at next year’s FIFA Congress, and the SFA has now officially joined that group.

The governing body’s chief executive Ian Maxwell said on Monday: “The Scottish FA will not be voting for Gianni Infantino. That’s in line with the UEFA position and we’ve maintained that stance throughout. When you’re an administrator in football, you shouldn’t be anywhere near the camera as often as has been the case.” He warned that focus had shifted from the on‑field game to off‑field incidents.

Maxwell argued that a “fall‑down in governance” and a “lack of transparency” required change, insisting that every member association of FIFA should have a say, just as every Scottish fan should have a voice in the running of the game.

FairSquare challenges Infantino's eligibility under FIFA statutes

SFA president Mike Mulraney, who chairs FIFA’s finance committee, noted that Infantino remains under extreme pressure, with three confederation presidents accusing him of “deception” over his private‑investor plan in an open letter published last week.

Governance debate intensifies

Advocacy group FairSquare has written to FIFA questioning Infantino’s right to stand for re‑election, a letter supported by former FIFA governance committee chair Miguel Maduro, who told the Press Association on Monday: “2027 would be his election for a fourth term of office, and it seems to me that the wording of the provision runs clearly against that.”

FairSquare’s letter was sent to FIFA’s review committee, a sub‑committee of the governance, audit and compliance committee empowered to decide on presidential eligibility. Professor Chris Mihm, deputy chair of the GACC, has reposted FairSquare’s calls for a FIFA ‘reboot’ and criticised Infantino over alleged breaches of political neutrality involving United States President Donald Trump.

The growing dissent underscores a broader call for greater transparency and member engagement in football governance, signalling that the upcoming FIFA Congress could see a decisive challenge to Infantino’s bid for another term.