Scotland withdraws support for FIFA president Infantino

The Scottish Football Association has withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino and will not vote for his re-election in 2027, joining a growing list of European federations distancing themselves from the embattled leader. The decision, announced Monday by Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell, aligns with the UEFA position and follows Infantino's failed proposal to open FIFA competitions to private investors Source: Clarin Source: Excelsior.

The context

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, faces mounting opposition ahead of the March election. Scotland joins England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland in publicly withdrawing support Source: Milenio Source: Infobae. The UEFA, Concacaf, and AFC confederations issued a joint open letter last week, stating that football "does not belong to any individual" and criticizing a breakdown of trust Source: Clarin.

Key points

• Maxwell confirmed: "The Scottish FA will not vote for Gianni Infantino. That is in line with the UEFA position that we have maintained" Source: Clarin.
• The withdrawal is linked to Infantino's controversial attempt to privatize the World Cup, which drew widespread criticism Source: El Nacional.
• No challenger has yet emerged; the deadline for candidacies is November 18 Source: Infobae.

What's next

Infantino remains the only declared candidate, but the erosion of support among European federations could embolden potential rivals. The Scottish FA's stance reflects broader concerns about transparency and governance, with Maxwell noting that "leadership failures, a lack of transparency, and a lack of dialogue" must be corrected Source: Milenio. The coming months will reveal whether this rebellion translates into a formal challenge or merely a symbolic loss of votes.