The Austrian Football Association's supervisory board decided on Friday to withdraw its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election. The Austrian Football Association stated that this decision was based on "developments over the past few weeks and months, and the resulting significant changes to the framework conditions."
Austria has thus joined the ranks of the French, Italian, and English football associations, all of which had previously publicly withdrawn their support for Infantino.
Despite the failed World Cup investment deal and ongoing criticism from some in the football world, Infantino still plans to run for re-election, with the election scheduled for March next year. Meanwhile, UEFA had previously prepared to file criminal charges against the Swiss national for alleged "criminal mismanagement." The Austrian Football Federation stated, "These charges have so far neither been credibly explained nor overturned."
If Infantino ultimately runs for the nomination, UEFA is expected to field a competitor. The Austrian Football Association (AFA) Supervisory Board President, Joseph Proll, reiterated the AFA's "unwavering" support for UEFA's united position. The AFA stated that the unified action taken by European football associations "sends a strong signal of sporting responsibility and solidarity."
