Small nations hold big cards as FIFA chief Infantino scrambles for support

MELBOURNE, Aug 3 : Gianni Infantino’s hopes of extending his FIFA presidency may rest less on winning back soccer's traditional powers than on calling in favours from the many small and emerging nations that rely heavily on the world governing body's largesse.

Infantino is facing the biggest crisis of his decade-long tenure after regional confederations UEFA and CONCACAF declared no confidence in his leadership following the abortive proposal to bring private equity into the World Cup.

He confirmed his intention to stand for a fourth term at next year's Congress in April but the pressure on Infantino may not wait until the election.

Wales on Monday became the first soccer federation to formally withdraw support for Infantino, while European body UEFA confirmed it had written to the 56-year-old Swiss to inform him it was weighing legal action against him regarding the proposal.

Opponents can mount a push to depose him with a vote at an Extraordinary Congress (EC) if 20 per cent of FIFA's membership of 211 member associations request one in writing.

An EC would need to be held within three months of a request, providing time for rival candidates to emerge.

UEFA, whose 55 member nations voted to boycott all FIFA tournaments if the stake sale went ahead, alone could trigger an EC with a unanimous vote.

But getting a majority of FIFA's membership to vote Infantino out at the EC may not be an easy task.

Despite vast disparities in wealth, soccer development and influence across the footballing world, all 211 nations have an equal vote.

Rather than smoothing things over with established football giants like France, Spain and England, Infantino's best chance of clinging to power may rest with members like Bhutan and Vanuatu - emerging