Follow the Dragon: Infantino, FIFA and the FAW

Not long ago, Gianni Infantino appeared certain to secure another term as FIFA president. Now he faces a genuine battle for re-election next year – and the Football Association of Wales helped spark the rebellion. Iwan Williams takes a closer look.

In the film classic “12 Angry Men”, eleven from twelve jurors are convinced that a teenager is guilty of murdering his father. One juror (Juror 8) however isn’t convinced and suggests a discussion around the case facts. One by one, the other jurors move from total conviction on the teenager’s guilt to reasonable doubt, thus saving him from the mandatory death sentence.

In football governance terms and the case of Gianni Infantino, the FAW is Juror 8. It takes real courage to speak out, to be the first, to go against the tide and set an example for others to follow. Only a month ago, at the World Cup Final on 19th July, the very question of Infantino losing his grip on power was laughable. He was untouchable, protected by US President Trump. Re-election in 2027 was a mere formality.

A month is a long time in football. Since the final, Infantino announced his plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. Such was his greed, his lust for money and power, and his eagerness to please Trump. He gave Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize winner, and survived. He allowed Trump to interfere in overturning the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun before their Last 16 game against Belgium, and survived.

Infantino’s grip on the game was assured, confident enough to do as he pleased, enrichening himself and his friends as he looked to sell the soul of football to the highest bidder.

News of Infantino’s plans circulated on 28th July. The worldwide reaction was strong. Less than a week later, on 3rd August the FAW became the first ‘home nation’ to withdraw support for Infantino’s re-election bid. Others soon followed. But it’s worth celebrating that courageous and trailblazing move by the FAW. A pivotal moment. Where many football associations agreed but kept quiet, the FAW spoke out publicly. The message was clear: This is wrong, this is unacceptable and FIFA needs change.

And the Welsh voice was heard in UEFA’s power corridors too courtesy of Professor Laura McAllister. As UEFA Vice President, she was instrumental in opposing Infantino’s plans along with Norway’s Lise Klaveness. Megan Feringa’s ‘Two women led the resistance to Infantino’s World Cup sell-off. That matters’ article in the New York Times drew attention to their achievements.

In a sport dominated by men, two women led the charge and called for change. That one of them is from Pen-y-bont and played twenty four times for Cymru is pretty special. To paraphrase Andrew Jackson or Thomas Jefferson, ‘one woman with courage makes a majority’.

The FAW and Laura McAllister’s bold step has led the way for others to follow: the confederations representing North America, Europe and Asia have voiced their opposition to Infantino, as have several individual football associations from Aotearoa/New Zealand to Sweden.

On 19th August, FAW Chief Executive Noel Mooney called for Infantino to step down. With further announcements from FAs and confederations expected, Infantino’s grip on the FIFA Presidency is weakening. The considerable influence he had over 211 FIFA members is evaporating, and the 210 vote (Nepal are currently suspended) pendulum is beginning to swing the other way.

And should he lose the FIFA Presidency this year or next, let’s remember who sparked the rebellion. Many a Cymru fan will have a wry smile when they read the words of former English FA Chairman David Bernstein ‘I’m a little disappointed that Wales came out before we did. We’re by far the largest, most prestigious FA in the UK and I think we should be taking a lead’.

Follow the Dragon, David. They may not get everything right (name an FA that does!) but huge credit to the FAW under the leadership of Noel Mooney on this occasion. And Professor Laura McAllister deserves all the plaudits.

Global standing

The (expected) beginning of the end for Gianni Infantino is a wonderful reminder of Cymru’s standing in the global game: we may be small, we may have limited resources and we may not participate in every World Cup, but we have courage, principles and are more than prepared to punch above our weight. A brilliant example of business leadership and countering herd mentality. 150 years on since the formation of the FAW, we should take great pride in this. FAW founder Llewelyn Kenrick would surely approve.

Allegations of FIFA corruption and actions that contradict their ‘guardians of the game’ duty are nothing new. It’s worth reading Andrew Jennings’ work on the Sepp Blatter years. The last few months however and the brazen attempts to use football as a tool to enrichen the few at the expense of the many have been on another level.

There may well be one angry man in Switzerland at the end of this. A familiar tale of an already wealthy individual who wanted it all and created his own downfall. Let’s hope he remembers little old Cymru’s contribution in thwarting his plans and putting the nefarious FIFA Forward Enterprise in the ground.

Croeso, Gianni.

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