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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Lucy Jackson

Scottish FA urged to oppose re-election of 'shameless' Fifa boss Gianni Infantino

Fifa president Gianni Infantino (Image: PA)

THE Scottish FA has been urged to follow in the footsteps of Wales and oppose Gianni Infantino's bit to continue his leadership of Fifa.

It comes after widespread outrage over Fifa's plans to sell stakes in a company which would run the commercial and operational aspects of its competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups.

On Saturday, Fifa president Infantino confirmed the body "will not proceed" with the plans, which received backlash from football associations around the world including Uefa , CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) and the AFC (African Football Confederation).

Fifa president Gianni Infantino (Image: PA)

And on Monday, Uefa, the European footballing body, said it was "actively considering" launching legal action against Fifa over its failed plans to sell off a stake in the World Cup.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has already withdrawn its support for Infantino's re-election, becoming the first footballing association to officially do so.

In a statement, the association said: "The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football."

Reports also suggest the English FA is poised to do the same, yet the Scottish FA has so far made no comment.

The Scottish Greens have now called on the Scottish FA to follow suit, accusing Fifa of putting "money, power and politics" ahead of fans under Infantino.

Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said that Infantino's leadership of Fifa has "been an embarrassment to world football".

Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay (Image: PA)

She said: "From his shameless fawning over Donald Trump to his controversial plans that would have further commercialised and sold off the World Cup, he has lurched from one controversy to the next.

“Under his watch, Fifa has repeatedly put money, power and politics ahead of supporters and the values that football is supposed to represent.

"Meanwhile, the organisation has been mired in scandal to the extent that it has made Sepp Blatter’s era look like a golden age of integrity and good governance."

Mackay said that "football is nothing without its fans", but "the game is being pulled ever further away from the communities that built it as the influence of big money continues to grow".

She added: “The Welsh FA is right to withdraw support for him, and Scotland should be next."

The Scottish FA has been approached for comment.

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