Norway calls for Infantino to resign as Mexico, Argentina back FIFA president

By Sunday Ameh

Norway’s football federation has called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign, saying it no longer has confidence in his leadership amid growing criticism of the world football governing body.

The Norwegian federation president, Lise Klaveness, made the call after a meeting on Thursday, declaring that Infantino’s time as FIFA president “should be over.”

The latest challenge to Infantino’s leadership follows widespread criticism of his abandoned plan to attract private investment into FIFA Forward Enterprise, a proposed commercial subsidiary that would have managed rights to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

UEFA has also reiterated its lack of confidence in Infantino and maintained that its threat to boycott FIFA competitions remains in place despite the withdrawal of the investment proposal.
The English Football Association has similarly withdrawn its support for Infantino’s re-election, which is scheduled for March next year.

However, Infantino continues to enjoy significant backing from some major football associations.

Mexico’s football federation expressed support for his leadership and efforts to develop football across FIFA’s 211 member associations.

Argentina’s football association also praised Infantino’s decade in office, crediting him with transforming FIFA through what it described as a transparent governance model.

South America’s football governing body, CONMEBOL, said it would not support efforts to remove Infantino through an accelerated process.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also expressed its “unanimous support” for the FIFA president.

The contrasting positions have deepened the leadership crisis surrounding Infantino as he faces increasing scrutiny over FIFA’s governance, the failed private investment proposal and other controversial decisions.

With some influential football bodies demanding his resignation while others continue to back him, Infantino’s position ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election is likely to remain a major subject of debate within global football.