Infantino loses Swiss backing for campaign to remain Fifa chief

Gianni Infantino (right) has lost support from leading European football associations in his bid to remain as head of world football's governing body Fifa. However, he maintains the backing of the African football confederation chief Patrice Motsepe (left). © Paul Ellis / AFP

Gianni Infantino's drive to remain boss at world football's governing body Fifa was under threat on Thursday after his own country's football association withdrew its support.

Swiss-born Infantino was elected Fifa president in February 2016 and had been expected to sweep to a fourth and final term at elections next March, until a failed bid to allow private investment in the World Cup drew calls for reform.