Women spearheading resistance to Infantino as FIFA faces governance crisis

MANCHESTER, England, Aug 5 : As FIFA President Gianni Infantino battles the biggest challenge of his decade in power, two of the most prominent voices in the revolt against him have been women.

Wales' Laura McAllister and Norway's Lise Klaveness, the only women on UEFA's executive committee, have emerged as outspoken critics of Infantino during a crisis sparked by his failed attempt to push through a private equity-backed venture known as FIFA Football Enterprises (FFE).

The backlash has ignited discussion about whether football, long dominated by male administrators, could be ready for a woman to lead the global game.

"It would be wonderful to see a woman elected as president of FIFA," McAllister, a UEFA vice-president, said in an interview with Reuters. "But it's far more complex than that.

"I'd like to think we're not far off having a female president, but I fear we are because I think the game has to do some catching up with the rest of society."

The debate has gathered momentum after former FIFA President Sepp Blatter publicly praised Klaveness on Tuesday, saying it was time for a woman to lead the sport's governing body.

Yet McAllister said FIFA's global political landscape remained a formidable obstacle.

"It's not as simple as simply bringing forward a woman," she said. "She might well be the best candidate for the job. But let's not pretend it's a simple meritocracy here. It's not."

The comments come after Infantino's FFE plan collapsed amid fierce opposition from UEFA and other regional governing bodies.

Wales were the first of several national associations to withdraw support for his re-election and dissent quickly spread within FIFA's own ranks.

Infantino was due to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday in Morocco.

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