Exclusive-Regional powerhouses weigh no-confidence vote in bid to oust Infantino - sources

BOLZANO, Italy, Aug 20 : World soccer’s regional powerhouses are discussing whether to move a vote of no confidence as they seek to oust FIFA President Gianni Infantino after he angered them with a proposal to sell private investors a stake in the World Cup, senior figures familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

European confederation UEFA, Asia’s AFC and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, are considering the move, the people said. Reuters could find no previous instance in FIFA’s 122-year history of its Congress holding a vote of no confidence in a sitting president.

"There is no way out," one source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions. "Either he goes the peaceful way and decides not to stand in March or he goes the hard way," the person said, referring to a possible vote of no confidence.

Under FIFA’s statutes, the FIFA Council can convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time, while the Council is required to call one if at least one-fifth of FIFA’s 211 member associations submit a written request specifying the items they want on the agenda.

An Extraordinary Congress must then be convened within three months, with each attending association holding one vote. FIFA’s statutes contain no specific provision governing a vote of no confidence in its president.

FIFA did not respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters.

UEFA did not comment directly on whether a no-confidence vote was under discussion, referring Reuters instead to its earlier statement that a review of FIFA’s leadership and governance should be "thorough and fundamental" and that "no option should be off the table". 

CONCACAF declined to comment directly,