UEFA throw 'toys out of pram' over Gianni Infantino overthrow plot - ex-Premier League chief

UEFA's behind-the-scenes plot to try and force Gianni Infantino out of his FIFA presidency is highly unlikely to succeed.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has outlined that the 56-year-old has all the votes he needs nailed down across the other confederations.

This comes after the news that UEFA are planning to run a candidate against Infantino at the next election on 18 November in a bid to overthrow him.

However, Wyness expects these suggestions to "die down" once the World Cup is over, as he feels UEFA will realise that their efforts are futile.

Legia Warsaw owner Dariusz Mioduski is being mooted as a potential candidate, while UEFA leader Aleksander Ceferin has already been ruled out.

Infantino is widely expected to win a third term at the helm of world football's governing body, with Wyness in no doubt that is the direction the vote will head in.

UEFA to 'throw toys out of pram'

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that suggestions of an overthrow are little more than UEFA "throwing their toys out of the pram."

The Scottish businessman has labelled the plot as a "storm in a teacup" as we near the end of another World Cup.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he made it clear why UEFA's plan is unlikely to achieve anything for them.

"I think once the World Cup's finished, it'll all die down. This is the eternal battle, FIFA and UEFA," Wyness said.

"Even with UEFA having one vote per country, Infantino has got enough votes to get back in again. I don't think it'll be anything more than a note of displeasure and anger at the way things have been conducted and making a point.

"They're just throwing their toys out of the pram. UEFA have the next World Cup in Spain. So the focus will soon switch to that pretty clearly. I just expect it to be a storm in a teacup, but behind the scenes nothing much will change."

FIFA called to act on Argentina banner

Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has told Football Insider that FIFA must "act" and issue a punishment to Argentina after a banner was held up during celebrations of their World Cup semi-final win over England.

Giovani Lo Celso unveiled a banner reading "Los Malvinas son Argentinas" during the celebrations, which translates to "The Malvinas are Argentine."

The message is in relation to the dispute surrounding the Falkland Islands, a territory off the coast of Argentina that is held by the United Kingdom.

Hackett has called for the Argentine FA to receive a hefty fine for the political messaging of the banner, and believes that FIFA cannot allow them to get away without a punishment.