New Zealand withdraws support for
Photo: Matias Delacroix/AP/TT

New Zealand withdraws support for Infantino, defying Oceania federation

New Zealand (NZF) is withdrawing its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a move that has angered the Oceania confederation, which continues to back Infantino despite his controversial plan to sell shares of the World Cup to private investors.

Advertisement

"NZF believes that this is an opportunity for all FIFA members to work towards better governance, accountability and transparency. This is fundamental to maintaining trust in the governance of global football," the New Zealand Football Federation wrote in a statement.

The OFC brings together 11 FIFA members out of a total of 211, but the federation itself praises Infantino for "the progress achieved over the past decade in promoting the development of football in Oceania under FIFA's leadership."

New Zealand is the most successful nation in the OFC since Australia left for the Asian Football Confederation 20 years ago.

Europe (55 FIFA members), Asia (46) and North and Central America and the Caribbean (35) issued joint criticism of Infantino on Monday - without mentioning his name - and were clear that they want to see new leadership.

Africa (54) continues to support Infantino and believes his future as president will be decided at the congress in March. There is currently no opponent to the Swiss, who has been president of FIFA since 2016.

"If someone has a problem with someone, whether it's Gianni or someone else, follow the process. Follow the Fifa process, it's that simple," Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), told Sky News earlier this week.

+ Uefa (Union of European Football Associations) – 55 FIFA members

Has demanded Gianni Infantino's resignation. Work is underway within Uefa to produce a counter-candidate for the presidential election at the Fifa Congress in March. Several national associations have withdrawn their previously stated support for Infantino.

+ Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean) – 35 FIFA members

Like Uefa, they were strongly critical of the proposal – even after it was dropped.

+ AFC (Asian Football Confederation) – 46 FIFA members

Asia backed both Uefa and Concacaf when the wind blew the most. Has been critical of the fact that the proposal has been developed without being discussed in, for example, the Fifa board. Recently wrote an open letter against the Fifa leadership together with Uefa and Concacaf. However, the national associations in Qatar and Lebanon continue to support Infantino.

+ CAF (Confederation of African Football Associations) – 54 FIFA members

Caf "stands behind" Fifa's apology and maintains its support for Infantino.

+ Conmebol (South American Football Confederation) – 10 FIFA members

Announced that they do not support a vote of no confidence, but are open to alternative candidates for the position of chairman of the congress.

+ OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) – 11 FIFA members

The federation itself continues to support Infantino, but New Zealand has announced that its support for the Swiss has been withdrawn.

In this story
AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
Was this useful?

What do you think?

Keep readingmore from Football

All