According to a report by Sky News in the UK on August 3, the English Football Association is preparing to send a letter to FIFA, withdrawing its support for FIFA President Sepp Blatter's candidacy for the presidency from 2027 to 2031.
Earlier, the Welsh Football Association officially announced its withdrawal of support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election, becoming the first football association to publicly state its position.
British Prime Minister Andrew Burns said on the 2nd that he does not think Gianni Infantino is the right person to lead football on the world stage, and accused Infantino of having plans that offended many football fans around the world. He said this is unacceptable.
On August 1st, Gianni Infantino announced his withdrawal from the controversial FFE (FIFA Forward Company) business plan. According to the plan, the commercial rights for FIFA's core events such as the World Cup would be managed by FFE. The company also intends to introduce private capital by selling its shares.
This plan is seen by many as 'finding shareholders for football', leading to widespread criticism.
UEFA stated that "the World Cup is not a saleable commodity," and "the future of football cannot be determined by those who prioritize maximizing economic benefits. Football should not also overdraw its future for the sake of economic interests."
In another statement issued on the 1st, UEFA welcomed FIFA’s withdrawal of the related plans, and emphasized that “it is necessary to identify the behind-the-scenes actors and hold them accountable.”
