Liberal Democrats call for FA and UEFA to break away from FIFA

The UK Liberal Democrats have called on the English Football Association (FA) and UEFA to withdraw from FIFA and establish a new global governing body for football, accusing FIFA president Gianni Infantino of crossing "red line after red line."

The call follows a series of incidents at the ongoing World Cup, including the overturning of a red card for US striker Folarin Balogun after intervention from US President Donald Trump, controversial displays by Argentina players referencing the Falkland Islands, and what the party describes as the "Americanization" of football through mandatory hydration breaks and commercial priorities.

What triggered the call

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey took to social media on Saturday, heavily criticizing FIFA and stating that the organization was "destroying the integrity of the beautiful game." The party's education, children and families spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP, elaborated on the reasons in an interview with talkSPORT.

• Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey accused FIFA of destroying the integrity of football.
• The Balogun red card overturn, following Trump's intervention, is cited as a key example of political interference.
• Argentina players held up a banner referencing the Falkland Islands after their semi-final win, with FIFA investigation seen as slow.
• Mandatory hydration breaks are criticized as commercially motivated changes.
• Wilson described FIFA as "beyond the pale" and called for a conversation about founding a new body.

Wilson told talkSPORT that FIFA's actions have "priced real fans out of the game" and that the organization "puts who's got the deepest pockets and the most powerful political leaders" ahead of football. She urged the FA to work with UEFA and other confederations to withdraw from FIFA and create a governing body that prioritizes fans and federations.

The Liberal Democrats' proposal comes amid growing criticism of FIFA's governance, but no formal response has yet been issued by the FA, UEFA, or FIFA. The party hopes to spark a broader debate among football stakeholders about the future of the sport's global administration.