The Israel Football Association (IFA) has officially withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election, citing an "unprecedented crisis of confidence" between the visions of UEFA and FIFA regarding global governance. The decision, announced in a letter from IFA chairman Moshe Zuares, adds to growing opposition against Infantino following his sacking of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour.
IFA Withdraws Support in Letter to FIFA
In a letter seen by the Guardian, Zuares stated that recent events have created a rift that is "profound, substantive, and principled, and compelling all stakeholders to reconsider the path forward." He confirmed that the decision was taken unanimously after a meeting of the IFA's board, saying, "We have no choice but to retract our previous letter of support, in the sincere hope that fruitful dialogue among all parties will eventually restore a shared, proper vision and direction for world football."
The move was not unexpected, as the IFA has been a UEFA member since 1994 and Zuares sits on UEFA's executive committee. However, it represents another setback for Infantino, who has invested significant political capital in improving sporting relations with Palestine.
Fallout from Lamour's Sacking Intensifies
The IFA's withdrawal follows the confirmation on Monday night that Kevin Lamour had left FIFA. Lamour had been deeply critical of Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, a plan to sell off World Cup rights. In a prophetic statement on 31 July, Lamour said, "If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight."
Laura McAllister, a UEFA executive committee member and former Wales Women international, condemned the sacking. "During the shabby events of the past weeks, he showed himself to be a courageous advocate for the most important stakeholders in football," she said. "Kevin's sacking seriously weakens FIFA's administration, while undermining this unique opportunity to shift the culture at FIFA and to reset the organisation on sporting values, not simply commercial and financial ones."
Broader Opposition and Calls for Change
The Israeli intervention echoes withdrawals from other UEFA members, including England, Wales, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland. Infantino has faced increasing scrutiny over his leadership, particularly regarding the FFE proposal and his handling of relationships with national associations.
McAllister, who worked with Lamour before his move to FIFA in 2024, stressed that "FIFA is not the president, it is the whole football family." She added, "World football needs strong, principled, independent leaders who are prepared to speak up, challenge when necessary, and stand firmly by their values and those of the global game. Instead, the loss of a leader of Kevin's calibre sends a deeply troubling message to all of us seeking change."
The growing opposition suggests that efforts to force Infantino out are expected to intensify in the coming days. Infantino had previously attempted to stage a photo between the Israeli and Palestinian delegations at FIFA's congress in April, but the Palestinian Football Federation president, Jibril Rajoub, refused to stand alongside IFA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman. Despite this, Infantino has sought to have Israel and Palestine compete in the first match of a new under-15 tournament in the United States next month.
