The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has announced its decision to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino, the current president of FIFA, as he seeks re-election. This statement was made by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell during an interview with BBC Sport.

Loss of Confidence in Leadership

Maxwell indicated that the SFA's stance reflects a broader sentiment shared among the 55 UEFA member associations, which recently convened to discuss their position on FIFA's leadership. He emphasized that "55 nations are stronger than one voice," aligning the SFA with UEFA's expressed lack of confidence in Infantino's leadership. As a result, the SFA will not support Infantino in the upcoming election scheduled for early 2027.

Controversial Plans and Criticism

Infantino has faced mounting scrutiny, particularly regarding his proposal to establish a new company to oversee the commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, including the World Cups. This initiative, which included plans to sell 21% of these rights to a private investment firm, was ultimately abandoned following significant backlash from various confederations, notably UEFA, which even threatened to boycott FIFA events.

In addition to the SFA's withdrawal of support, the football associations of England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland have also publicly declared their lack of confidence in Infantino. He is set to run for a fourth term in March 2027, despite concerns raised about his eligibility.

Eligibility Concerns Raised by FairSquare

FairSquare, a non-profit organization advocating for accountability in sports, has formally challenged Infantino's eligibility to run for re-election. They argue that he is already serving his third and final term, as FIFA statutes limit the presidency to three four-year terms, totaling a maximum of 12 years. Infantino's presidency began in 2016 when he succeeded Sepp Blatter, and his tenure could extend to 15 years if he secures another term in 2027.

FairSquare's letter to FIFA's governance, audit, and compliance committee contends that allowing Infantino to serve for 15 years undermines the purpose of the existing regulations. This situation continues to unfold as the football community watches closely.