UEFA put pressure on Gianni Infantino by using failed World Cup plan against him

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called for a full review into FIFA's finances and demanded they share £4.5billion cash reserves. Ceferin has written a powerful letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggesting the world governing body dips into its huge wealth and gives each 211 member associations £7.5million each.

It is another step designed to put pressure on Infantino and also get clarity on FIFA's finances after the World Cup sell-off plan. UEFA are demanding Infantino stands down while insisting the sell-off plan highlighted the funds at their disposal and making it clear the associations will get cash whether Infantino remains in charge or not.

Ceferin said: "FIFA must of course remain financially strong, meet its existing commitments and maintain an appropriate buffer, and our analysis takes full account of that. But FIFA currently holds billions of dollars in accumulated reserves.

"These resources belong to football and exist to serve the game and its 211 MAs. Prudence should not prevent a careful examination of whether a portion could responsibly be released to the extent those reserves exceed FIFA's foreseeable needs."

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Meanwhile, England boss Thomas Tuchel has backed the FA's stance on Infantino. The FIFA president plans to stand for re-election in March but the FA won't support him.

"I just told you how I am backed from my bosses, so it's the minimum I can do is back my bosses, I would say," Tuchel said. "So they have my full support on that and I back their opinion."

Infantino, 56, has been in the role for 10 years and plans to win a fourth election. Should the Swiss-born chief win, he'll serve until 2031.

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In a statement issued earlier this month, FIFA confirmed: "The Fifa president announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. "Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election."

UEFA are confident that a candidate to rival Infantino will be found. The person would need to receive the backing of at least 106 of the 211 FIFA member associations in order to win.

CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is understood to be a serious option. Nominations for the presidency must be submitted by November 18.