Norway's Football Federation Calls for Gianni Infantino's Resignation as FIFA President, Citing Erosion of Trust

Norway's football federation has called for the immediate resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, intensifying the pressure on the beleaguered leader amid growing discontent within the sport. This demand follows Infantino's controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup, which has sparked significant backlash. During a meeting held on Thursday, Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness announced the decision, stating, “We decided that there is no trust in Infantino now.” She expressed ongoing concerns about his leadership, emphasizing that the erosion of trust has reached a point of no return.

The Norwegian federation's announcement marks another setback for Infantino, who has faced increasing scrutiny over his plans to generate revenue through a commercial subsidiary known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This initiative aimed to capitalize on World Cup profits but has been met with widespread criticism. In a related development, UEFA, the governing body for European football, reaffirmed its stance on Thursday, indicating that its threat to boycott FIFA competitions remains intact despite the organization’s retraction and apology regarding the failed proposal.

UEFA's leadership has echoed the sentiments of the Norwegian federation, stating that confidence in Infantino has been irrevocably damaged. Earlier this week, Infantino attempted to quell dissent during a summit with senior FIFA officials in Rabat, Morocco, where he reportedly received their backing. However, the subsequent reactions from UEFA and Norway highlight a persistent and deep-seated anger among European football associations.

The English Football Association has also withdrawn its support for Infantino's re-election, which is scheduled for March. In addition, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that the national federation plans to submit a new complaint to FIFA's ethics committee. This complaint will address several issues, including the FFE, the controversial peace prize awarded to Donald Trump, and the suspension of Folarin Balogun's one-match ban during the World Cup.

Klaveness concluded by stating, “We have reached a situation where extraordinary measures are needed to create lasting change,” underscoring the urgency for reform within FIFA's leadership structure.