Auckland, August 14: New Zealand Football (NZF) has officially announced its withdrawal of support for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy as FIFA President for the 2027 FIFA Congress. The organization has also called for an independent review of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme.
NZF is the latest institution to publicly deny support for Infantino’s bid for re-election, significantly complicating his prospects. Infantino aims to run for election again next year. He had proposed raising approximately $7.2 billion by separating the commercial rights of the World Cup and selling 20% of private investments. However, he had to retract his plan following widespread criticism.
In a statement, New Zealand Football expressed, “After careful consideration, NZF believes that trust in international football has been eroded due to FIFA’s decisions and actions, leading to division. An independent review is necessary to restore trust and confidence.”
NZF further stated, “We believe it is time for all FIFA member associations to advocate for strong governance, accountability, and transparency, which are essential for maintaining trust in the administration of global sports.”
This statement from NZF follows a meeting of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) executive committee, which welcomed FIFA’s commitment to review the decision to withdraw the FFE proposal and address related issues.
NZF noted, “The OFC acknowledges the progress made under FIFA’s leadership in advancing football development in Oceania over the past decade and encourages FIFA to use this review as an opportunity to identify and implement any necessary changes. The OFC is committed to constructive dialogue and close collaboration with its member associations, FIFA, fellow confederations, and all football stakeholders to ensure the continued growth of football worldwide.”
Leave a Comment