UEFA’s Response to Proposed Sell-Off
UEFA, European football’s governing body, held an emergency meeting to address FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in its major competitions. During this meeting, Laura McAllister, a vice president and member of UEFA’s 21-member executive committee, advocated for a full boycott of FIFA competitions. Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) and the other woman on UEFA’s executive committee, outlined a path toward higher governance standards if a leadership change at FIFA becomes necessary.
Sources familiar with the meeting indicated that McAllister and Klaveness were particularly vocal about the need for significant action. Both women have backgrounds as former international players, with McAllister having represented Wales and Klaveness having played for Norway. Their playing experience is noted as contributing to their authority in football governance.
Klaveness became the first woman to lead the NFF upon her election in March 2022. McAllister was the first Welsh person to secure a seat on UEFA’s executive committee, and she later expanded the number of female-designated seats on the committee to two.
Challenges to Infantino’s Leadership
Infantino’s plans to sell off stakes in FIFA competitions to private investment have been met with resistance, leading to the withdrawal of support letters for his re-election from national associations, including those from England and Wales. There is also a possibility that the FIFA Council could seek to compel Infantino’s resignation through an emergency meeting.
Infantino is expected to seek re-election in March for a fourth term, requiring 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 members to secure victory. The next president will be confirmed at the 77th Congress in Morocco next March.
McAllister and Klaveness have been critical of FIFA’s financial practices, with reports indicating they openly criticized the organization for “economic blackmail.” Klaveness has also publicly challenged moral issues related to World Cup hosts such as Qatar (2022), the United States (2026), and Saudi Arabia (2034). McAllister has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar and pushed for increased female representation within UEFA.
Potential Successors to the FIFA Presidency
If Infantino’s tenure were to end, several individuals are considered potential candidates for the FIFA presidency. Among them is Victor Montagliani, president of Concacaf, who was elected in 2016 with a platform of governance reform. Montagliani, a former president of Canada Soccer, played a significant role in the preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by three nations.
Another potential candidate is Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, president of the AFC. He was re-elected unopposed for a fourth term, which runs until 2027. Al Khalifa has overseen growth within the Asian confederation, including the expansion of the Asian Cup to 24 teams and the launch of the Women’s Champions League in 2024-25.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris St-Germain and chairman of the European Clubs’ Association, is also mentioned as a potential challenger, though sources close to him suggest he is not interested in the role. Mattias Grafstrom is another figure with increasing influence, but his close association with Infantino and the preference for a non-European president could be factors against him.
The 77th FIFA Congress in Morocco next March will confirm the next president.
Source: bbc.com
