CONCACAF chief asks Infantino to skip youth tournament amid FIFA governance crisis

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has formally requested FIFA President Gianni Infantino to refrain from attending a youth soccer tournament in the Dominican Republic this weekend. Montagliani cited the "governance crisis surrounding FIFA" as the primary reason for his request, suggesting Infantino's presence would overshadow the event.

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As you may be aware, your proposed attendance has garnered significant media attention. ...the media will focus on this situation, which will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition.

Infantino is currently facing significant pressure to resign from three confederations – UEFA (Europe), AFC (Asia), and CONCACAF (North, Central America, and the Caribbean). This opposition stems largely from his earlier, now aborted, proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup. Montagliani, who also serves as a FIFA Council vice-president, sent a letter to Infantino on Friday, emphasizing that the FIFA president's planned attendance had already attracted considerable media attention.

"The media will focus on this situation, which will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition," Montagliani wrote in the letter, a copy of which was seen by Reuters. He added, "As such, I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity."

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As such, I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity.

Despite Montagliani's concerns, Infantino was welcomed in Punta Cana by Kelvin Cruz, the Dominican Republic's Minister of Sports and Recreation. Cruz expressed deep appreciation for Infantino's visit, stating it would place Dominican football on the international radar and open prospects for growth. FIFA has been contacted by Reuters for comment. Infantino is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president, but his support among some national associations and key officials has waned.

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We deeply appreciate your visit to the Dominican Republic, without doubt that your presence in our country puts us on the international football radar and opens us great prospects for growth and development of Dominican football.