FOOTBALL – As Fifa President Gianni Infantino battles the biggest challenge of his decade in power, two of the most prominent voices in the revolt against him have been women.
Wales’ Laura McAllister and Norway’s Lise Klaveness, the only women on Uefa’s executive committee, have emerged as outspoken critics of Infantino during a crisis sparked by his failed attempt to push through a private equity-backed venture known as Fifa Football Enterprises (FFE).
The backlash has ignited discussion about whether football, long dominated by male administrators, could be ready for a woman to lead the global game.
“It would be wonderful to see a woman elected as president of Fifa,” McAllister, a Uefa vice-president, said.
“But it’s far more complex than that. I’d like to think we’re not far off having a female president, but I fear we are because I think the game has to do some catching up with the rest of society.”
The debate has gathered momentum after former Fifa President Sepp Blatter publicly praised Klaveness on Tuesday, saying it was time for a woman to lead the sport’s governing body.
Yet McAllister said Fifa’s global political landscape remained a formidable obstacle.
“It’s not as simple as simply bringing forward a woman,” she said.
“She might well be the best candidate for the job. But let’s not pretend it’s a simple meritocracy here. It’s not.”
The comments come after Infantino’s FFE plan collapsed amid fierce opposition from Uefa and other regional governing bodies.
Wales were the first of several national associations to withdraw support for his re-election and dissent quickly spread within Fifa’s own ranks.
McAllister, whose proposal of a boycott of Fifa events received unanimous support during Uefa’s emergency meeting last week, said the turmoil reflected deeper governance problems at the sport’s ruling body.
“There are signs that this is an issue that’s reaching a crisis point, if it isn’t already at a crisis point,” she said.
She pointed to a number of controversies that have eroded trust in Infantino’s leadership, including Fifa’s links to the failed European Super League project, political issues surrounding the World Cup, and Fifa’s decision to rescind a red card shown to American striker Folarin Balogun during the tournament after US President Donald Trump called on Infantino to review the decision.
“All of this tells me that there are deep problems in the governance of Fifa,” she said.