BUDAPEST.- The Hungarian Sandor Csanyione of the eight vice presidents of the FIFA Councilannounced that it is withdrawing its support for the president of the world body, Gianni Infantinocriticized since its aborted project to open to private investors.
In a letter to Infantino, consulted on Wednesday by AFP, Csanyi, also patron of the Hungarian Football Federationsaid he had “lost the trust previously placed” in the FIFA president.
To justify his position, Csanyi mentions “decisions that serve political interests more than those of football”, especially during the World Cup 2026. He also attacked the plan to open the instance to private investors, a project carried out “in secret, without having informed the FIFA Council.”
“The straw that broke the camel’s back was the unexpected dismissal” of the Frenchman Kevin LamourFIFA number 3, added.
“My conviction that you are capable of leading FIFA successfully and effectively (…) has been undermined,” concluded the Hungarian, addressing the Italian-Swiss leader.
FIFA announced on Monday the departure of Lamour, general director of operations, where he oversaw key administrative sectors such as legal affairs, communication and personnel management.
The Frenchman was one of the highest officials in FIFA who criticized the project of Infantino, a candidate to be re-elected in March 2027.
“Not only should the project never see the light of day (…) but the time has come to ask the right questions and make good decisions,” Lamour wrote in a statement sent to the AP press agency and published on July 31.
Reijnders leaves City
The Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has reached Saudi Arabia after completing his transfer of Manchester City to the Al Qadsiah until 2031, an official from the Saudi club told AFP on Wednesday.
An AFP correspondent saw the Dutch international enter the club’s headquarters in the city of Al Khobarin the east of the Arabian kingdom.
According to the press, Al Qadsiah would have paid close to 61 million euros (71 million dollars) to acquire the services of the 28-year-old player, who played in the World Cup 2026 in North America with Netherlands.
