Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness will report Gianni Infantino to FIFA’s Ethics Committee as European football intensifies pressure on the FIFA president.
UEFA have already pledged to boycott FIFA tournaments so long as Infantino remains FIFA president.
And the head of the Norwegian FA, Klaveness – who has been mooted as a potential successor to Infantino – endorsed that position after their monthly board meeting. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter is among those advocating for Klaveness to succeed Infantino.
The 45-year-old former lawyer will also submit a complaint to the FIFA Ethics Committee, which has the power to impose bans from football.
The complaint will not only challenge the proposed sale of a £3.1billion stake in the World Cup to private investors, but also the decision to award an ad hoc FIFA Peace Prize to President Donald Trump and the suspension of Florian Balogun’s red card at the World Cup following alleged political pressure from Trump.
‘The board believes that we do not have confidence in Gianni Infantino. We did not have that in the last election and we do not have it now,’ Klaveness said.
‘There is no going back for Gianni Infantino. The international football community is very divided, and we must unite now.
Lise Klaveness has long been an opponent of Gianni Infantino
Klaveness spoke to reporters on Friday to explain the decisions taken at the Norwegian FA’s monthly board meeting
Europe have upped the pressure on Infantino, with UEFA vowing to boycott FIFA competitions so long as he remains in post
‘We will ask the FIFA president to resign now. There is no doubt about it: there is a deep crisis in international football cooperation.
‘Irreversible transgressions have occurred,’ she added on the decision to complain to the ethics committee.
‘We have reached a situation where extraordinary measures are needed to create lasting change.’
UEFA are leading the charge to dethrone Infantino as FIFA president. However, the Swiss football administrator appears to retain support from Africa, South America and Asia – which is enough to fend off any leadership challenge.
Meanwhile, Mexico have broken ranks from CONCACAF’s opposition to Infantino, reaffirming their confidence in the FIFA leadership.
UEFA’s current refusal to play in FIFA competitions will cause the governing body significant commercial problems, potentially prompting Infantino to reconsider his position at the top of world football.
But the FIFA president has shown no sign of relenting thus far after being supported by the governing body’s hierarchy on Wednesday.
