Infantino dealt blow as FAI withdraws support for FIFA President

Where the pressure on Infantino goes next

The decision to rescind a letter of support supplied earlier this year was taken following a board meeting, and the association has since written to FIFA to explain its reasoning, RTÉ reports.

Infantino has been under mounting pressure since a controversial plan to sell stakes in a company that would run the FIFA World Cup to private investors first emerged on 28 July, The42 reports.

The fallout has led to calls for the FIFA president to resign, with football associations in Europe, the Americas and Asia threatening to boycott FIFA tournaments and accusing Infantino of “abandoning” his duty, saying he placed himself “above the collective that entrusted him with authority”.

In a statement, the FAI said: "The Association is grateful for the support that Fifa provides to Irish football.

"But recent events have raised significant concerns regarding governance, transparency and the lack of meaningful consultation.

"Considering the governance challenges that the FAI has had to overcome in recent years, the Association feels a particular obligation to advocate for and uphold best practice."

FIFA’s secretary general and members of the governing body’s management board have already apologised in the wake of the fallout.

With the FAI now formally withdrawing its backing, the pressure on Infantino shows no sign of easing, and Irish football has made its view clear.