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UEFA is intensifying efforts to find a single candidate to challenge FIFA President Gianni Infantino in next year’s presidential election, despite dropping its threat to boycott FIFA competitions.
The European football body’s 55 member associations and its representatives on the FIFA Council are expected to receive confirmation that the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal will not be revived.
The decision is expected to be formally endorsed at UEFA’s executive committee meeting in Monaco, clearing the way for all six European teams to participate in next week’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
However, UEFA’s withdrawal of the boycott has not ended its push against Infantino, with the organisation confident that a credible unity candidate can emerge before the election in March.
A challenger would need the backing of at least 106 of FIFA’s 211 member associations to win the presidency, making support beyond Europe crucial to UEFA’s strategy.
No candidate has formally emerged, although Concacaf President Victor Montagliani is regarded as a serious potential contender.
UEFA has also abandoned plans for a vote of no confidence against Infantino because such a move would require 159 votes, representing three-quarters of FIFA’s membership.
The European body reportedly believes that even if Infantino secures re-election by a narrow margin, a significant decline in his support could weaken his authority and raise questions about the legitimacy of his presidency.
The dispute intensified last month when UEFA’s 55 associations voted to boycott FIFA competitions unless the Forward Enterprise proposal was completely withdrawn and binding assurances were given that FIFA would not reopen its governance or competitions to private ownership.
FIFA has welcomed UEFA’s decision to end the boycott, saying it is pleased that all qualified European teams will participate in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, while reiterating its commitment to dialogue with the confederations and other stakeholders.
Nominations for the FIFA presidency must be submitted by November 18.
