The Gibraltar Football Association announced that it is withdrawing its support for Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), in his bid for a new term.
In an official statement, the Gibraltar FA revealed: "The association had previously announced its support for Gianni Infantino as FIFA president in good faith and based on the circumstances prevailing at the time."
The statement added: "The 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' proposal has raised questions regarding transparency and consultation in the decision-making process, and our concerns were further compounded by the departure of Kevin Lamour."
FIFA dismissed Kevin Lamour, its Chief Operating Officer, after he criticized Infantino.
The Gibraltar FA continued: "Accordingly, the Gibraltar FA has decided that it can no longer continue to support Infantino's candidacy for the 2027 FIFA presidential elections, and FIFA has been formally notified of this decision."
It further stated: "Gibraltar is one of the smallest associations in the world; we do not possess financial or political influence. Our protection lies in strong institutions, clear rules, transparency, and consultation in grassroots decision-making."
The statement recounted: "Small associations are always expected to remain silent on matters of this kind, but we do not believe that would be appropriate for us."
It concluded: "This decision should not be interpreted as support for an alternative candidate. We have not endorsed any other candidate and will evaluate all candidates and their platforms."
The FIFA presidential elections are scheduled for March 2027, amid divisions surrounding Infantino.
UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF issued an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking the trust of the football community and placing himself above the game.
The escalation followed an attempt to sell commercial shares of the World Cup, a move that the associations confirmed was carried out without sufficient consultation and in a rushed manner to avoid discussion.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Football Association, headed by Hany Abu Rida, issued a joint statement along with six other associations in support of Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football.
Infantino still enjoys support from CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC, with the exception of New Zealand.
