The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president, citing concerns over governance and leadership.
Wales is the first national football association to publicly withdraw its backing for Mr Infantino, whose proposed fourth term would run from 2027 to 2031.
The decision follows the collapse of a controversial plan to raise as much as $4.2bn (£3.2bn) from private investors by selling a stake in a new commercial entity overseeing FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
The proposal faced strong opposition from football stakeholders and was abandoned on Friday.
In a statement, the FAW said it had "lost confidence" in Mr Infantino remaining at the head of world football.
"The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW," it said.
"Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."
FIFA has been approached for comment.
Pressure grows on Infantino
The collapse of the investment plan has intensified scrutiny of Mr Infantino, who has led FIFA since succeeding Sepp Blatter in 2016.
He has been re-elected unopposed twice and had appeared likely to secure another term at FIFA's Congress in Morocco next year.
However, the proposed restructuring of FIFA's commercial interests has triggered a backlash among some of the governing body's members and regional confederations.
UEFA, European football's governing body, strongly opposed the plan and welcomed its withdrawal. It has also issued a document-preservation order, requiring relevant emails, files and other data to be retained amid the possibility of further investigation.
UEFA has not confirmed reports that it is considering legal action against FIFA.
CONCACAF, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has also expressed a loss of confidence in Mr Infantino's leadership.
The developments mark an unusually serious challenge to the FIFA president, who announced in April that he intended to seek a fourth term.
While his re-election had previously been regarded as highly likely, the growing opposition could make the campaign more difficult.
The next FIFA Congress, where the presidential election is expected to take place, is due to be held in March in Morocco. Photo by Piotr Drabik, Wikimedia commons.
