The Scottish Football Association has withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino and will not vote for his re-election in early 2027.
Chief executive Ian Maxwell confirmed that the SFA has lost confidence in world football's leader following controversial proposals to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup.
Maxwell announced the decision during the formal unveiling of Sebastien Pocognoli as Scotland's new head coach. The Scottish governing body had initially declined to declare its position publicly, unlike other home nations and European football authorities.
Infantino faced fierce opposition after plans surfaced to sell off commercial and ticketing stakes in the World Cup to a private investment firm. He later abandoned the project following a widespread backlash, with European governing body UEFA leading the move to block his proposals.
Speaking about the SFA's stance on the upcoming vote, Maxwell made clear that Scotland would align with European football's governing body.
"UEFA put out their statement and we said we were fully behind their position," Maxwell said. "That absolutely remains the case."
"We can't say we've lost confidence in someone and then even consider re-electing them in due course. So we won't be voting for him when the election comes in early 2027," he added. "That's our position. We will see where it goes from here."
Overshadowing the World Cup
Maxwell expressed deep frustration that administrative turmoil had detracted from the global tournament itself, which he described as the most successful and best-attended World Cup in history.
"Every Scotland fan who was over there will tell you it was the best time of their lives. And that's now been overshadowed by what's happened next," Maxwell said.
"That's not right, that cannot be where we are as a game. We should be talking about the success of the tournament and the joy it brought to so many people, and the impact that can have across the game all around the world for a long, long time to come," he continued. "That's been overshadowed by FIFA, by Gianni Infantino and everything that's gone on since then. Therefore, there needs to be change."
Maxwell also rejected claims that the SFA had delayed its public statement because SFA president Mike Mulraney holds a seat on the FIFA finance committee.
Longstanding concerns and governance breakdown
Despite recent pressure on Infantino, senior figures within football understand there are still concerns that he could manage to retain his presidency. UEFA is currently developing a strategy to field a rival candidate, though the future leadership of world football remains uncertain.
The SFA's misgivings regarding Infantino predate the recent World Cup financial proposals. The Scottish authority had long harbored reservations about his leadership, tracing back to his decision to award a peace prize to US president Donald Trump last year.
Further controversy arose over Infantino's handling of a red card issued to USA striker Folarin Balogun. The sending-off was subsequently rescinded after Infantino received a phone call from Trump, marking another major blot on his copybook.
Addressing the latest commercial plans, Maxwell condemned the lack of consultation across the sport before details of the deal emerged.
"On one hand, a FIFA president or UEFA president coming to the members with an idea for something is their job," Maxwell said. "But the way that happened was just unacceptable. It can't leak into the media in the way it did, when it's that far down the line. There cannot have been no discussion with anybody."
He noted that even internal governing staff were kept in the dark about the negotiations prior to the leaks.
"From what I understand, it's not even as though FIFA staff really knew that much about it," Maxwell added. "There's been a fundamental breakdown in governance, procedure and protocol. And that needs to change."
