UEFA keeps pressure on Gianni Infantino

The opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains strong, with football's continental confederations continuing to challenge the embattled leader. In a joint public statement, the governing bodies of Europe (UEFA), Asia (AFC), and North, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) have reiterated their criticism of Infantino. They accuse him of "deception" in connection with the now-canceled sale of World Cup rights and are calling for a fresh start at the helm of the global football association.

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Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about having power, or demanding its exercise. It is a commitment to serve the football family that places its trust in you.

The statement, signed by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, all of whom also hold FIFA vice-presidency roles, directly addresses the nature of leadership. "Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about having power, or demanding its exercise. It is a commitment to serve the football family that places its trust in you," the letter reads.

The confederation chiefs contend that this commitment is abandoned when trust is broken through deception or when an individual prioritizes themselves over the collective body that entrusted them with responsibility. Their remarks appear to reference a FIFA letter that acknowledged errors in investor plans, which the confederations dismissed as a "communication failure." They argue it was, in fact, a "failure of judgment" that resulted in a "fundamental breach of trust."

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If this trust is broken by deception, if someone places themselves above the collective that has entrusted them with responsibility, then this commitment has been abandoned.

Concluding their letter, the three association heads appealed to the broader "football family," stating, "The strength of football has always lain in its unity. We call for this unity to be preserved now, and to stand for leadership that serves football, rather than seeking to dominate it."

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The strength of football has always lain in its unity. We call for this unity to be preserved now, and to stand for leadership that serves football, rather than seeking to dominate it.