New Zealand Football has pulled its support for Gianni Infantino as FIFA President amid the fallout from the embattled executive's failed World Cup sell-off plan.
NZ Football, which governs the game in Aotearoa, also called for an independent review of the steps taken during the plan's development.
"After careful consideration, NZF has formed the view that decisions and actions within FIFA have contributed to a breakdown in trust and increased division within international football, and that an independent review is required to restore confidence and trust," it said in a statement.
"NZF believes this point in time represents an opportunity for all FIFA member associations to advocate for stronger governance, accountability and transparency which are fundamental in maintaining confidence of the administration of the global game."
It had previously backed Infantino's bid for re-election next year.
Infantino has faced fierce criticism from across the football world after it was revealed he was moving to create a new body to manage the commercial rights and delivery of FIFA's major tournaments.
The FIFA Foward Enterprise, valued at US$20 billion, would be controlled by FIFA, with minority stakes sold to private investors to raise US$4.2 billion. An "anchor investor" would have been Thrive Eternal, launched by Joshua Kushner – the brother of Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law.
The ensuing backlash from fans and the football world ultimately led FIFA to scrap the plans.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” he said in a statement.
NZ Football joins a host of other countries in withdrawing their support for Infantino, including England, Wales, Ireland and Sweden.
Infantino's re-election seemed a sure thing, with the recent, expanded 48-team World Cup in North America generating billions in revenue.
An open letter from the continental confederations of Europe, North America, and Asia accused Infantino of breaking trust "through deception".
The Oceania Football Confederation, of which New Zealand is a member, said it welcomed FIFA's move to kill the FFE proposal.
"Good governance, transparency and respect for established institutional processes are fundamental to the effective administration and sustainable development of football.
"These principles are essential at every level of the game and should be upheld consistently by all football stakeholders."
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