FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold an emergency meeting in Morocco with senior FIFA officials as pressure mounts over growing calls for his resignation.
According to TalkSPORT, Infantino has intensified efforts to secure the backing of FIFA Member Associations, with Asia emerging as a crucial battleground in his campaign to maintain support.
Jordan Football Association President, Prince Ali Al Hussein, has accused some officials of using tactics that “amount to blackmail” in attempts to influence votes.
The pressure on Infantino has also intensified following public criticism from FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström and FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, over the FIFA Forward Enterprise plans.
Reports indicate that the FIFA president is now battling to retain the support of even some of his traditional allies. He is believed to be assessing whether he still commands the backing of more than 106 votes before deciding his next course of action.
Several national football federations have requested more time before declaring their positions, while the Swiss Football Association has stated that it wants a “personal exchange” with Infantino before making a final decision.
The outcome of the emergency meeting is expected to play a significant role in determining the next phase of the leadership debate within world football’s governing body.
