Cardiff: The Football Association of Wales has declared its decision to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino's bid to remain FIFA president, marking the first instance of a national body taking such a stance.

According to Anadolu Agency, the association confirmed to Sky News its withdrawal of support for Infantino's re-election campaign for the 2027-2031 term. The association emphasized that FIFA and its members hold the responsibility for the game's long-term growth, development, and sustainability, necessitating leadership that prioritizes the interests of football.

This decision comes in the wake of FIFA's recent abandonment of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, which faced significant opposition from confederations and national associations. The proposal involved allowing minority private investment in a new subsidiary intended to manage commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.

Over the weekend, CONCACAF increased pressure on Infantino, demanding a thorough review of his presidency. The confederation criticized recent governance actions, highlighting a need for a comprehensive reckoning with the leadership of FIFA.

Following this, UEFA welcomed FIFA's decision to withdraw the proposal, while expressing concern over the damage it caused to confidence in FIFA's leadership. UEFA announced plans to collaborate with member associations and other confederations to investigate the proposal's origins and to develop measures preventing similar situations in the future.