Serbia, Sweden Follow Wales in Withdrawing Support for Infantino Re-Election

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Off Tournament draw at the FIFA's Home of Football in Zurich on November 20, 2025. (AFP)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Off Tournament draw at the FIFA's Home of Football in Zurich on November 20, 2025. (AFP)
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Serbia, Sweden Follow Wales in Withdrawing Support for Infantino Re-Election

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Off Tournament draw at the FIFA's Home of Football in Zurich on November 20, 2025. (AFP)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Off Tournament draw at the FIFA's Home of Football in Zurich on November 20, 2025. (AFP)

The national football federations of Serbia, Sweden and Wales withdrew their support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election bid on Monday and England's is expected to do the same. 

The backlash against the head of world football's ruling body has intensified following his failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. 

FIFA's proposal to unlock up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling a roughly 20% stake in a new entity overseeing competitions including the World Cup ended in retreat on Friday after fierce resistance from stakeholders. 

"The Football Association of Serbia has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino for a new term as President of FIFA," the federation said in a statement. 

"We remind that we ‌provided Mr. Infantino ‌with our support on May 25 of this year in written form, but ‌after ⁠carefully reviewing the ⁠events that, in the recent period, have seriously damaged the image and reputation of both FIFA and its President, this is the only logical and rational decision." 

Sweden followed suit. 

"At an extraordinary board meeting on Monday, SvFF has chosen not to support FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming re-election," the Swedish federation said. 

"This is after a long-term assessment of the development within FIFA and the organization's leadership. The decision is based on recurring shortcomings in governance, transparency and management, which means that trust in Gianni Infantino's leadership no longer exists." 

Earlier, Wales became the first national federation ⁠to formally withdraw its support for Infantino. 

"The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms ‌its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr. Gianni Infantino, ‌for re-election as FIFA President for the 2027 to 2031 term," the Welsh FA said in a statement. 

"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 to remain at the helm of world football. 

"Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept."  

England's FA will also withdraw its support for Infantino, a source familiar with the organization said. 

INFANTINO SEEKS SUPPORT OF TRUMP 

Infantino has sought support from US President Donald Trump, ‌the New York Post reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. 

The Post said Infantino had repeatedly tried and failed to reach Trump by phone ⁠since the proposal collapsed ⁠on Friday, and that the FIFA chief felt "isolated" by an avalanche of negative media coverage. 

FIFA had no immediate comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. 

Infantino is under unprecedented pressure after regional confederations UEFA and CONCACAF said on Saturday they had lost confidence in his leadership. 

European soccer's governing body, which led the backlash to Infantino's plans and welcomed the decision to scrap them, did not confirm media reports that it was preparing to take legal action against FIFA over the issue. 

UEFA said it had sent a document preservation order, which stops the destruction of emails, files, or data when an investigation is expected. 

Infantino said in April that he intended to seek re-election for a fourth term as FIFA chief. Since taking over from his Swiss compatriot Sepp Blatter in 2016, Infantino has been re-elected unopposed twice. 

While his re-election for the 2027 to 2031 term had appeared a formality, experts told Reuters the fallout from the failed proposal exposed dissatisfaction among FIFA members and could complicate his path before the Congress in Morocco in March. 



Turki Alalshikh Announces Riyadh Season Sponsorship of 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Turki Alalshikh Announces Riyadh Season Sponsorship of 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh announced Riyadh Season’s sponsorship of the 2027 Spanish Super Cup, which will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, as part of Riyadh Season’s continued presence at major international sporting events.

Istanbul will host the Spanish Super Cup under an agreement between the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Sela, in cooperation with the Turkish Football Federation.

The tournament will take place at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in football history, which hosted the UEFA Champions League finals in 2005 and 2023, and will now welcome some of Spain’s leading football clubs, SPA reported.

As part of this collaboration, Sela will oversee the Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul and will be responsible for managing the tournament’s commercial rights and operational delivery, in cooperation with the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Turkish Football Federation, ensuring a world-class experience for clubs, players, broadcasters, partners, and fans.

Riyadh Season’s sponsorship of the tournament extends its role in supporting major sporting events and strengthening its international presence through partnerships with leading global sports institutions and competitions, helping reach new audiences and further enhance Riyadh Season’s presence on the global stage.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Atlético Madrid will participate in the tournament. The match schedule, ticketing details, as well as the accompanying fan programs and activities, will be announced at a later date.


Spanish Super Cup Will Be Held in Türkiye in 2027

Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
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Spanish Super Cup Will Be Held in Türkiye in 2027

Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer

The 2027 Spanish Super Cup will be held in Türkiye at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the Spanish Football Federation said Thursday.

The Final Four tournament will take place from February 2 to 7 and feature Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, the federation said in a statement.

 

Barcelona are reigning Super Cup champions after beating Real Madrid in the 2026 final.

The Spanish Super Cup features the winners and runners-up of La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

 

 

 

 


Arbeloa Sent off and Fulham Walks off Before Penalty Shootout in Preseason Game Against Malaga

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
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Arbeloa Sent off and Fulham Walks off Before Penalty Shootout in Preseason Game Against Malaga

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)

Fulham's preseason match against Malaga turned out to be not too friendly when the English club walked off and coach Alvaro Arbeloa was red-carded for complaining with the referees.

La Liga host Malaga scored a 90th-minute equalizer for 2-2. Malaga said a penalty shootout was scheduled. Fulham said there wasn't. Malaga kicked a penalty into an open net and claimed the Costa del Sol trophy on Wednesday.

Fulham said on X: “We can confirm that prior to the match, both teams agreed that there would not be a penalty shootout in the event of a draw."

Former Real Madrid coach Arbeloa was sent off for arguing with the officiating crew at the end of the match.

Malaga said a penalty shootout was scheduled but “Fulham left the pitch claiming that a shootout had not been included in the contract.”