UEFA attacks FIFA leadership after investor deal U-turn

UEFA has intensified its criticism of FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, even after the world football governing body abandoned controversial plans to sell commercial World Cup rights to investors. The European football confederation declared that FIFA's current leadership has lost the trust of UEFA and numerous other members of the global football community.

While UEFA welcomed FIFA's decision to scrap the plans, which had faced significant opposition primarily from Europe but also from continental federations in Asia and North/Central America, it condemned the process. UEFA described the deal, which was reportedly negotiated "in secret" and attempted to be pushed through, as "shabby, negotiated behind closed doors and opaque." The organization stated that Infantino failed to ensure that FIFA's substantial reserves were distributed to member associations and thus to the sport.

"We cannot continue like this – with secret dealings hatched in haste by faceless individuals whose benefit to the sport is questionable," UEFA asserted. The European body called for the responsible individuals to be identified and held accountable. UEFA announced it would immediately engage in dialogue with global partners to find new avenues for distributing FIFA funds.

"This is a victory for the whole game," UEFA stated. "But it must not be the end of the story. The proposal has been withdrawn. The task of rebuilding trust in FIFA has only just begun."