The English Football Association (FA) has decided to withdraw its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who faces mounting pressure amid controversy over the establishment of a World Cup subsidiary.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that the FA is set to send a letter withdrawing its support to Infantino.

Previously, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) also publicly withdrew its support for Infantino's attempts to maintain his position as FIFA President.

Football associations in other European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark, have also effectively declared a vote of no confidence following the outbreak of the controversy.

European national member associations began speaking out against the Infantino administration after the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) notified that it was considering legal action regarding FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup tournament.

FIFA had pursued a plan to sell a portion of its stakes in the World Cup and major tournaments to private investors.

The plan involved establishing a new for-profit entity called "FIFA Forward Enterprise" (FFE) dedicated to tournament operations and raising up to 4.2 billion dollars, approximately 6 trillion won in Korean currency, through the sale of stakes.

The stake sale was set to be led by "Thrive Eternal," a venture capital firm headed by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Although President Infantino withdrew the plan after strong backlash from UEFA, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the fallout has not subsided.

Calls are growing to block a fourth consecutive term for Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016.

On the other hand, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) have not yet voiced opposition.

Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka have declared their support for President Infantino.

The next FIFA presidential election will be held in March next year.

In the presidential election, a candidate must secure at least two-thirds of the votes from 211 member associations in the first round, or a majority after the second round.

UEFA holds 55 votes, CAF 54, AFC 46, CONCACAF 35, OFC 11, and CONMEBOL 10.

Demands are also emerging to impeach President Infantino immediately.

If 43 or more countries, which account for one-fifth of the 211 member associations, make the request, the Council must convene an extraordinary congress.

If a majority of valid votes vote in favor of impeachment at the extraordinary congress, which must be held within three months, President Infantino will be dismissed.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)