The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has officially withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as confirmed by chief executive Ian Maxwell in an interview with BBC Sport. This decision comes amid growing concerns regarding Infantino's leadership and his recent controversial proposal to establish a new company for managing FIFA's commercial and ticketing rights.

Loss of Confidence in Leadership

Maxwell stated that the SFA's stance aligns with the position taken by UEFA, which represents 55 national associations. He emphasized that “55 nations are stronger than one voice,” reflecting a collective sentiment of discontent with FIFA's current leadership. The SFA will not support Infantino in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for early 2027.

The decision follows a letter from FairSquare, a non-profit organization advocating for accountability in sports, which urged FIFA's governance committee to deem Infantino ineligible for re-election. This comes after Infantino's proposal to sell 21% of FIFA's commercial rights to a private investment firm faced significant backlash, particularly from UEFA, which has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.

Controversy Over Presidential Terms

Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016, is currently serving his third term and is seeking a fourth in March 2027. FairSquare has raised questions about his eligibility, citing FIFA statutes that limit a president to three terms of four years, totaling a maximum of 12 years. Infantino's potential re-election would extend his presidency to 15 years, which FairSquare argues contradicts the intent of FIFA's regulations.

In a previous ruling, Infantino successfully argued that his initial term from 2016 to 2019 should not count as a full term, allowing him to run again in 2027. However, FairSquare contends that a 15-year presidency undermines the purpose of the term limits established by FIFA.

As the situation develops, Infantino faces increasing scrutiny and opposition from various football associations, including those from England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, all of which have also withdrawn their support. The upcoming election will be a critical moment for FIFA as it navigates these challenges.