UEFA, AFC and Concacaf reportedly consider vote of no confidence against Gianni Infantino as FIFA head

Will the three confederations of UEFA (Europe), AFC (Asia) and Concacaf (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) try to bring Gianni Infantino into turmoil since his aborted project of private investors at Fifa? This hypothesis is put forward by the Reuters agency which affirms that the three entities are discussing a vote of no confidence in order to obtain the votes necessary to overthrow the current presidency.

On the sidelines of the European Super Cup which pitted Paris SG against Aston Villa on August 12, rumors were already speaking of discussions between the leaders of these three confederations and the possibility of an institutional revolution which would however have to bring together other support to pass.

“There is no way out,” a source told Reuters on condition of anonymity as Gianni Infantino plans to run for another term next year. “Either he chooses the peaceful path and decides not to run again in March, or he chooses the path of force,” added this person, referring to this motion of censure.

The FIFA Council can convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time, and is required to do so if at least one fifth of FIFA's 211 member associations submit a written request specifying the items they wish to see included on the agenda. It must then be convened within three months, each participating association having one vote. The FIFA statutes do not contain any specific provision relating to a motion of censure against its president.

UEFA did not comment directly on whether a vote of no confidence was being considered, instead referring Reuters to its earlier statement that a review of FIFA's leadership and governance should be "thorough and fundamental" and that "no option should be ruled out."

Concacaf did the same, referring the agency to another previous joint statement with UEFA and the AFC. In it, the three institutions accuse the FIFA management of a serious breach of trust. As for the AFC, it has not responded to a request for comment at this time.

But the game is far from being a foregone conclusion for the rebels. No candidate came forward publicly before the deadline for submitting applications, set for November 18, and Infantino retains the support of some of FIFA's members. CAF president Patrice Motsepe said last week that Infantino continued to enjoy support from Africa and his future should be decided by FIFA members in the election.