Scottish Football Association withdraws support for FIFA president Infantino

The Scottish Football Association withdrew its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Monday, seven months before the organization's presidential election scheduled for March 2027.

Ian Maxwell, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, announced the decision in a statement. "The Scottish Football Association will not vote for Gianni Infantino. This is in line with the position adopted by UEFA, which we have maintained," Maxwell said.

The withdrawal of support follows Infantino's failed proposal to open FIFA to private investors. The 54-year-old Swiss-Italian official, who has held the FIFA presidency since 2016, has faced mounting criticism over the privatization plan.

Scotland's decision adds to a growing list of national associations that have announced they will not support Infantino's reelection. England, Wales, and Ireland have already declared they will not vote for the current FIFA leader. Serbia is also among the European federations that have withdrawn backing.

To retain his position, Infantino requires the support of a majority of FIFA's 211 member associations. Maxwell emphasized that the Scottish federation's stance aligns with UEFA's position, noting that UEFA has expressed a loss of confidence in FIFA.

"The position of the Scottish federation has been very clear since the UEFA federations met. We are aligned with UEFA's position. UEFA has spoken of a loss of confidence in FIFA and we completely agree with it," Maxwell said during a presentation of the national team's new coach, Sebastian Pocognoli.

Infantino is currently the only candidate for reelection in the March 2027 presidential vote. The FIFA president's failed privatization initiative, referred to as the FIFA Forward Enterprise, has drawn scrutiny from football confederations worldwide, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and other regional bodies.