Uefa to push to remove Infantino after dropping boycott

What the report says

Uefa is moving ahead with efforts to remove Gianni Infantino as Fifa president, even after dropping its threat to boycott Fifa competitions. According to BBC Sport Football, the change means European football’s 55 national associations will no longer block events such as the upcoming Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which is set to begin next week in Poland and includes six European teams.

The BBC says Uefa will formally confirm the end of the boycott at its executive committee meeting in Monaco, after members receive assurances that the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan will not be revived. That agreement satisfies Uefa’s immediate demand, but the organisation still wants to challenge Infantino when he seeks re-election in March.

The report says Uefa believes a unity candidate could be found to oppose him, though no name has been confirmed. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is described as one possible option, and nominations are due by 18 November. However, Uefa has dropped plans to force a vote of no confidence, which would have required an unrealistically high threshold of support.

BBC Sport also notes a split among former players: one group has called for change at Fifa, while another has posted backing for Infantino. The wider context is a continuing dispute over Fifa governance and the role of private ownership in football competitions.