FIFA vice-president and council member Sandor Csanyi of Hungary has withdrawn his support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, saying the organisation’s recent decisions have undermined his confidence in Infantino’s leadership.
Csanyi said the “unexpected dismissal” of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour was the final development that prompted him to publicly withdraw his backing.
Lamour’s position became increasingly difficult after he broke ranks with senior FIFA directors last month and issued a strong criticism of Infantino over a now-abandoned proposal to allow private investment in World Cups.
In a letter sent to Infantino on Tuesday and seen by AFP on Wednesday, Csanyi said Infantino had “lost the confidence I previously placed in you.”
Csanyi, a billionaire businessman, banker and head of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ), said his belief that Infantino could continue leading FIFA successfully and effectively had been seriously undermined.
He said his concerns were based on what he described as several controversial decisions surrounding this year’s World Cup.
The FIFA vice-president also referred to information that Infantino had allegedly been working on plans to outsource FIFA competitions and place them under the control of external parties.
According to Csanyi, the dismissal of Lamour was ultimately the “final straw”, raising concerns about professional judgement, ethical standards and leadership within FIFA.
The dispute comes amid growing scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership and FIFA’s decision-making.
Lamour had attracted attention after publicly challenging senior figures within the organisation over the proposed private investment plan for World Cups. The proposal was later scrapped.
European football’s governing body UEFA also reacted to Lamour’s dismissal.
On Tuesday, UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister described the decision as sending a “deeply troubling message” to people seeking change within football’s governing structures.
Csanyi’s withdrawal of support represents a significant development because he is not only a FIFA vice-president but also a member of the FIFA Council, the organisation’s key decision-making body.
Source: AFP
