Gianni Infantino told ‘there is no way back’ as Norway chief urges him to quit
Norway’s football federation has intensified pressure on Fifa president Gianni Infantino, demanding his immediate resignation following his failed plan to sell World Cup stakes.
Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian federation, confirmed her organisation’s stance after a meeting on Thursday, citing a complete loss of confidence.
“We decided that there is no trust in Infantino now,” Klaveness told The Guardian. “We have been worried consistently and there has been one more step in worrying direction every year, every part of the year. The trust is now gone for us, there is no way back for Infantino.”
This marks the latest blow for Infantino, with repercussions continuing from his contentious proposal to commercialise World Cup profits via the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE).
European football’s governing body, Uefa, reiterated its threat to boycott the World Cup and other Fifa competitions on Thursday, despite Fifa abandoning the failed scheme. It also reaffirmed its lost confidence in Infantino.
Earlier this week, Infantino appeared to have averted an internal revolt during a summit in Rabat, Morocco, with Fifa claiming he received full staff support.
However, Uefa’s firm response, swiftly followed by Norway’s direct call for his resignation, underscores the enduring anger, particularly in Europe. The English Football Association has also withdrawn its backing for Infantino’s re-election next March, along with the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that the national federation intends to lodge a new complaint with Fifa’s ethics committee. This complaint is expected to encompass the FFE initiative, the peace prize awarded to Donald Trump, and the controversial suspension of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban.
“We have reached a situation where extraordinary measures are needed to create lasting change,” Klaveness asserted.
However, Infantino has received support from other nations as he bids to hold on to his position as Fifa president.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) voiced its support for Infantino on Thursday, while Mexico and Argentina are also backing the Fifa chief to continue in his role.
Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) called out Infantino for his failed sell-off plan last week, with the proposal eventually scrapped last Friday.
