Sweden Plans Counter-Candidate for FIFA President
The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) has decided to work on a counter-candidate for Gianni Infantino, the President of the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa), ahead of the March congress. The decision was made at an extraordinary board meeting on Monday.
“Global Strong Support”
Together with other members of the European Football Union (UEFA), Sweden will now work towards a counter-candidate for Infantino. Åström, SvFF's chairman, does not want to mention any names or profiles.
– If we are to mention anything, it should be about leading Fifa's activities with a high degree of transparency, with a high level of participation, and with leadership that ensures adherence to the processes required for this to truly be considered a democratic organization.
It remains to be seen how great the chances are that Infantino will be voted out at the congress, says Åström.
“Fragmented Football World”
After the summer's World Cup, Infantino had support from around 200 of Fifa's 211 member associations – including 50 of UEFA's 55 national federations, according to The Guardian. However, Sweden did not send a so-called support letter to the Swiss and wanted to wait until closer to the congress before making a decision.
On the other hand, SvFF's trust in Infantino has started to wane already when US President Donald Trump received a newly established peace prize from Fifa in December last year. – A prize that we believe crosses all lines regarding football being apolitical.
What would be the consequences if Infantino is not voted out? – I think one consequence will be a fragmented football world, as it is evident that a large part of the world's national associations do not have confidence in his leadership moving forward, says Simon Åström.
