FAI withdraws its support for Gianni Infantino

The FAI has followed the lead taken by the likes of the FA and the Welsh Football Association

 Photo: INPHO

The FAI has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino to be re-elected as Fifa President.

Infantino announced last week that plans to sell stakes in a company which would run FIFA competitions to private investors had been scrapped, amid opposition from three continents and a boycott threat from Uefa.

The English and Welsh football associations formally withdrew their support for Infantino, along with other European associations such as Serbia and Finland.

The FAI has now added its name to the move against the Fifa leader, following a board meeting that discussed the situation.

An FAI statement added: "Following an FAI Board Meeting, the decision was taken to rescind the letter of support that the Association supplied earlier this year. It has since written to FIFA to explain its reasoning.

"The Association is grateful for the support that FIFA provides to Irish football, but recent events have raised significant concerns regarding governance, transparency and the lack of meaningful consultation.

"Considering the governance challenges that the FAI has had to overcome in recent years, the Association feels a particular obligation to advocate for and uphold best practice."

Last week, The Professional Footballers Association of Ireland said it expected the FAI tp follow suit with the English and Welsh football associations.