\n<\/p>\n
Six Nordic football associations delivered a united blow to FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Sunday, declaring they had lost confidence in his leadership while demanding sweeping governance reforms at world soccer\u2019s governing body.<\/strong><\/p>\n The \u200bsix Nordic FIFA members \u2014 Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands \u2014 met in \u200cHelsinki and issued a rare joint statement backing calls for Infantino\u2019s resignation from three major regional confederations.<\/p>\n They also supported demands for an independent investigation into his controversial proposal to sell a stake in events like the World Cup to private equity \u200binvestors, a plan that was quickly abandoned in the face of global backlash.<\/p>\n \u201cThe six Nordic football \u200bassociations have lost confidence in FIFA\u2019s president and are concerned about the organization\u2019s governance \u2060and decision-making at the highest level,\u201d they said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Nordic football associations stand united with \u200bUEFA and support the measures that the organization and its national member associations have jointly proposed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe expect FIFA \u200bto provide binding guarantees that the organization\u2019s governance or competitions will never again be opened up to private ownership.\u201d<\/p>\n Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment on the statement.<\/p>\n On Friday, Denmark\u2019s football association (DBU) vowed to find a credible alternative to Infantino in next year\u2019s \u200belection.<\/p>\n Infantino is under pressure from three confederations to resign, including Europe\u2019s UEFA, Asia\u2019s AFC and CONCACAF, which represents North \u200band Central America and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n The sport\u2019s regional powerhouses have also discussed a potential vote of no confidence against the FIFA \u200cchief.<\/p>\n \u201cWe \u2060also support the demand made by AFC, CONCACAF and UEFA that a fully independent external investigation into the events surrounding the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal be established,\u201d the Nordic FAs added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also call on FIFA to initiate a comprehensive and independent review of its governance framework to determine whether it ensures the independence, checks \u200band balances, transparency and accountability \u200bthat were intended when \u2060FIFA adopted its reform programme in 2016.\u201d<\/p>\n Infantino, who is seeking a fourth term until 2031 at next year\u2019s election, is in the Dominican Republic this weekend \u200bwhere he met with officials of the Caribbean Football Union.<\/p>\n CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani had \u200basked Infantino to \u2060stay away from a youth soccer tournament in the country, saying his presence would overshadow the event.<\/p>\n \u201cThis meeting of the Presidents of CFU takes place in the environment of (a) Under-14 youth tournament in the region, which actually \u2060is one \u200bof those tournaments that can take place thanks (to) the FIFA \u200bForward programme,\u201d Infantino said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, even more so, a reason to be proud to be here. And happy, as well, because it\u2019s important to \u200bengage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n