Israel Football Association Withdraws Support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino

The Israel Football Association (IFA) formally retracted its earlier endorsement of Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president. In a letter signed by IFA head Moshe Zuares, the association cited an “unprecedented crisis of confidence” between UEFA and FIFA over global governance, describing the rift as “profound, substantive, and principled.” The move follows a series of similar withdrawals by UEFA members—including England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland—after Infantino dismissed his chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, for criticizing the World Cup sell-off plan.

The Guardian

Infantino’s decision to sack Lamour came after the French executive publicly opposed the FIFA Forward Enterprise (Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE)) proposal, describing the scheme as detrimental to football’s sporting values. Lamour’s own statement on 31 July expressed willingness to lose his job rather than compromise his principles, noting he would “sleep well tonight.” The dismissal has intensified calls within UEFA to challenge Infantino’s leadership and has heightened scrutiny of FIFA’s commercial direction.

The Guardian

Moshe Zuares, who also serves on UEFA’s executive committee, explained that the IFA’s board voted unanimously to withdraw support, hoping that renewed dialogue among all parties will eventually restore a shared vision for world football. The letter emphasizes a desire for “fruitful dialogue” and a “proper direction for world football,” signaling that the IFA seeks a collaborative resolution rather than a unilateral stance.

The Guardian

Former Wales women’s international Laura McAllister, a UEFA vice-president, described Lamour’s dismissal as sending a “deeply troubling message” and warned that it weakens FIFA’s administration at a time when reform is needed. She praised Lamour for standing up to Infantino’s scheme and argued that the loss of a leader of his calibre undermines efforts to shift FIFA’s culture toward sporting values rather than purely commercial interests.

The Guardian

Infantino’s ongoing attempts to improve sporting relations with Palestine—including a planned under-15 tournament in the United States—remain under pressure as member associations question his governance approach. The IFA’s withdrawal adds to a growing coalition of UEFA members demanding greater independence and principled leadership within FIFA, potentially reshaping the power dynamics ahead of the next presidential election.

The Guardian