The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, adding further pressure on the Swiss as opposition to his leadership grows within European football. Ireland’s football governing body has joined a growing number of European associations distancing themselves from the FIFA president amid mounting concerns over governance and his commercial reform plans, the FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The decision makes the FAI the latest association from the British Isles to reconsider its position on Infantino following a turbulent period that has strained relations between FIFA and several of its confederations and member associations.
The FAI confirmed that its board had decided to rescind a letter of support it had issued to Infantino earlier this year. The association subsequently informed FIFA of the decision and outlined its concerns.
The move comes as Infantino has become increasingly unpopular among UEFA member associations following his controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which sought to create a new commercial structure around FIFA’s competitions and attract private investment.
Although FIFA has since abandoned the proposal, the controversy has intensified questions over the way major decisions are being developed and communicated under Infantino’s leadership.
Irish Decision Adds to Growing European Resistance
UEFA, alongside Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation, has already expressed serious concerns about FIFA’s approach, accusing Infantino of damaging “trust” through the way the commercial proposal was handled.
The European governing body’s position has been backed by a number of its national associations, with some now withdrawing or reconsidering their support for Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president.
Wales was the first of the four UK associations to publicly withdraw its support, before the Football Association of England followed suit. The FAI’s decision now adds another significant voice to the growing dissent.
In explaining its position, the Irish association acknowledged FIFA’s financial and developmental assistance to football in Ireland but said recent developments had raised concerns about governance, transparency and consultation.
The FAI also pointed to its own experience of governance reform as a reason for taking a firm position on the issue. “Considering the governance challenges that the FAI has had to overcome in recent years, the Association feels a particular obligation to advocate for and uphold best practice,” the association said.
Northern Ireland’s football authorities have stopped short of withdrawing their backing for Infantino but have indicated that they share broader concerns being raised within the game.
The Irish Football Association (IFA) said it supports UEFA’s current position and will continue to participate in discussions through established football governance structures.
The IFA stressed that, as a member association of both UEFA and FIFA, it takes its responsibilities to the two organisations seriously.
The growing resistance represents a significant challenge for Infantino as he seeks to maintain support ahead of the next FIFA presidential election. While the FFE proposal has been abandoned, its fallout has exposed a widening divide between FIFA’s leadership and several of its most influential member associations.
With more associations reassessing their positions, Infantino faces the task of rebuilding confidence among European federations while defending his record and vision for FIFA.
The FAI’s decision therefore carries significance beyond Ireland. It is another indication that the controversy surrounding the FFE proposal has evolved into a broader debate over transparency, consultation and the direction of global football governance.
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