Norway has called for Gianni Infantino to step down, while Argentina, Mexico and several other football bodies have backed the FIFA president amid a growing governance dispute.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND — WEB DESK: FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing growing calls to resign, but the pressure has been accompanied by a wave of support from football associations backing his leadership.
The latest development follows a public demand from the Norwegian Football Federation for Infantino to step down, while football authorities in Argentina and Mexico have voiced support for the FIFA president.
Norway calls for Infantino to resign
Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness has called on Infantino to resign, saying he no longer has the trust required to lead world football.
Norway’s position represents a significant escalation in the dispute surrounding FIFA leadership and governance. The federation has also indicated plans to pursue concerns through FIFA’s ethics structures.
The criticism follows controversy surrounding FIFA’s now-withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and wider questions over governance and decision-making.
Argentina and Mexico back FIFA chief
While criticism has intensified in parts of Europe, Infantino has received important backing elsewhere.
The football associations of Argentina and Mexico have publicly supported the FIFA president, adding to backing from several African football bodies. Reuters reported that Infantino’s allies were rallying behind him as the dispute deepened.
The competing positions have created a growing divide within international football over Infantino’s leadership.
UEFA-FIFA tensions continue
The controversy comes amid wider tensions between UEFA and FIFA.
UEFA has maintained its opposition to the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, while the European governing body has also continued to discuss potential action over FIFA-related competitions.
The disagreement has raised broader questions about the relationship between FIFA and the continental confederations and how major decisions affecting world football should be made.
Infantino remains in position
Despite the resignation calls, Infantino remains FIFA president and continues to receive support from a significant number of member associations.
The contrasting reactions demonstrate that the current dispute is far from settled. While Norway and some European voices are demanding leadership changes, other influential football nations are defending Infantino.
The coming weeks could determine whether the criticism develops into a wider challenge to his leadership or remains a dispute concentrated among particular federations and football organisations.
For now, the FIFA president appears to retain enough support to remain in office, but the growing public disagreement has placed FIFA governance under renewed scrutiny.
