Fifa defends Infantino as UEFA pressure and boycott threat grow
What's next: Infantino faces a March presidential election as European federations push for his exit over the shelved World Cup rights plan.
Fifa pushed back Saturday against mounting efforts to force out president Gianni Infantino, accusing critics of trying to undermine both the organization and its leadership outside its formal election process. The response came after fresh scrutiny over claims tied to Infantino's time at Uefa and after La Liga president Javier Tebas said his position had become untenable. Uefa has said it no longer has confidence in Infantino, the Norwegian Football Federation has called on him to resign, and European officials have kept open the possibility of boycotting Fifa events. Fifa said Infantino was elected by member associations and still holds their mandate, while support has also come from federations in Africa, South America and Mexico.