The French Football Federation (FFF) has withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's re-election campaign next year. The president of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, said that the decision to withdraw the support was due to a loss of confidence in the head of world football's highest body.

According to Diallo, the FFF's executive committee unanimously decided not to support Infantino on Thursday. "The trust placed on the FIFA president has been broken. "There is no longer a match between our vision of how world football should be run and how it is being run now," Diallo said.

Infantino is up for re-election next year for a fourth term as FIFA president. However, after his proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in the FIFA competition to private investors failed, his leadership has been criticized by various football federations.

A proposal to introduce private investment in tournaments including the FIFA World Cup was withdrawn last July after widespread opposition from regional confederations.

Diallo recalled that France endorsed Infantino's candidacy in late June, adding that he was the only declared candidate at the time. But the events that happened after that have brought about a big change in the situation, he says.

"The conditions under which we were prepared to support his candidacy no longer exist," Diallo said.

Diallo said that FIFA's governance system and decision-making process have also been seriously questioned, saying that the member federations were not given sufficient consultation and information about FIFA's proposed stake sale.

Along with France, some European football federations, including England and Italy, have withdrawn their support for Infantino.

The European Football Confederation (UEFA), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the North and Central American Football Confederation (CONCACAF) have also signaled the need for a change in FIFA leadership. They are looking for a credible candidate to challenge Infantino ahead of elections in March.

Diallo said France's decision was part of a wider discontent developing inside and outside UEFA. According to him, the next discussion will focus on reforming FIFA's governance system and finding a suitable candidate to challenge Infantino.

Published: 26 Bhadra 2083 07:36 Friday