FIFA Council members seek emergency meeting as pressure grows on Infantino

A group of FIFA Council members is trying to force an extraordinary meeting as internal pressure grows on President Gianni Infantino, according to a report published on Sunday, August 2.

The Guardian reported that the group wants an independent review of FIFA’s decision to lift United States forward Folarin Balogun’s suspension during the World Cup. The Norwegian Football Association subsequently filed a complaint alleging that FIFA’s political-neutrality rules had been breached. FIFA has maintained that due process was followed and that its ethics committee acted independently.

Under FIFA rules, support from 19 of the Council’s 37 members can trigger an extraordinary general meeting. The report said the initiative had reached support in double figures but had not yet secured the required threshold.

The challenge follows Infantino’s withdrawal of a proposal to sell a stake in a new World Cup operating company after opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation. UEFA and Concacaf have called for a broader review of FIFA governance, while the Confederation of African Football and Conmebol continue to support Infantino, according to the report.

No formal vote or leadership contest has been announced. The next scheduled FIFA Council meeting is in November, leaving the effort to call an earlier meeting dependent on whether organizers can win additional support, including from Asian representatives.