Pressure is mounting on FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the Football Association (FA) moved to withdraw its support following the collapse of his controversial investment proposal.
The decision comes amid growing opposition across world football, with UEFA threatening legal action, Wales formally withdrawing its backing, and Scotland reportedly aligning with UEFA's position ahead of next year's FIFA presidential election.
The English FA is expected to formally notify Infantino that it is withdrawing its support in the wake of the abandoned plan to sell minority stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors.
Infantino is seeking re-election for a fourth and final term as FIFA president next March and will require 106 votes from FIFA's 211 member associations to retain office.
Sources have told BBC Sport that the Scottish FA remains aligned with UEFA's stance, while the Football Association of Wales has already publicly withdrawn its endorsement.
The latest developments further weaken Infantino's position after UEFA and Concacaf had already issued strong statements criticising his leadership.
At the centre of the dispute is FIFA's proposal to create a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage its flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.
The governing body planned to invite private investors to purchase minority, non-controlling stakes in the new entity.
As first reported by The Telegraph, UEFA has informed FIFA that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration and regulatory complaints over the proposal.
European football's governing body has also demanded that FIFA immediately preserve all documents and electronic communications relating to the FFE project.
The request includes:
UEFA's request covers communications involving FIFA officials, employees, consultants, member associations, broadcasters, sponsors and financial institutions.
Infantino had written to all 211 FIFA member associations, offering up to $40 million (£30 million) if they backed the proposal.
Associations were told they needed to support the plan before 19 September to receive an initial $20 million (£15 million) payment.
UEFA is also seeking documentation relating to the design, legal basis and communication of those financial incentives.
The proposed investment group was expected to be led by Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law.
UEFA has requested written confirmation from Infantino within five business days acknowledging the preservation notice and confirming that all relevant material is being retained.
UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister described the situation as a serious failure of governance.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, she said:
"It is a very clear call for action for what's been an abysmal governance process leading up to the FFE initiative."
She added:
"We need to learn from this disastrous process to make sure that we have accountability chains in hand to ensure that it doesn't happen again."
McAllister also expressed hope that more member associations would withdraw their backing for Infantino.
"We cannot keep putting out fires because of unilateral plans.
"I really hope now that we can have a change of leadership next year."
While opposition is growing in Europe, Infantino continues to receive support from several member associations.
Serbia, Sweden and Finland have all withdrawn their backing.
However, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka have reaffirmed their support for the FIFA president.
Voting power across FIFA's confederations is divided as follows:
ConfederationVotesUEFA55CAF (Africa)54AFC (Asia)46Concacaf35OFC (Oceania)11CONMEBOL10
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has expressed solidarity with UEFA and Concacaf, while CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC have yet to publicly criticise the FFE proposal.
Attention is now turning to the FIFA Council, which has the power to call an emergency meeting if 19 of its 37 members request one.
Such a meeting would have to take place within two weeks and could ultimately lead to calls for Infantino to step down.
The FIFA Council is made up of:
No formal motion has yet been submitted, but any attempt to trigger an emergency meeting is expected to proceed only once enough support has been secured.
The withdrawal of support from national associations and UEFA's legal threat represent the most significant escalation yet in the growing dispute between football's two most powerful governing bodies.
While Europe has led the opposition, UEFA is aware it cannot be seen as dictating global football policy. Infantino still enjoys substantial backing outside Europe and the Concacaf region, meaning removing him from office remains a significant challenge.
Behind the scenes, efforts are reportedly underway to convince additional member associations from Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania to join the opposition.
With FIFA's presidential election approaching, the battle for football's highest office has entered a pivotal phase.
