Welsh FA chief calls for Infantino to step down

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down, according to BBC Sport. Mooney cited damage to football caused by Infantino's attempted World Cup privatization plan as the reason for his call.

Infantino has faced heavy criticism for proposing a structure that would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights of all FIFA competitions, including World Cups, with 21% of stakes to be sold to a private investment company, per BBC Sport. That sell-off plan has been scrapped.

Wales became the first home nation to withdraw backing for Infantino's re-election bid earlier this month, according to BBC Sport. Scotland has also withdrawn support in a parallel move that signals fracturing confederal backing for the FIFA president, who has held office since 2016.

Mooney, who previously worked alongside Infantino at UEFA, acknowledged that Infantino did very good work as general secretary of that organization. Mooney cited Arsene Wenger's technical development scheme as an example of forward progress under Infantino's tenure, according to BBC Sport, tempering his criticism with recognition of prior accomplishments.