UEFA Slams Infantino, Cites Broken Promises Over FIFA Rights Sale

European football's governing body, UEFA, has issued a scathing critique of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing him of failing to uphold his promises and severely damaging trust in the leadership of world football. The strong condemnation follows FIFA's decision to withdraw a controversial plan to sell minority stakes in World Cup commercial rights to private investors. UEFA welcomed the retraction, stating the proposal was unanimously rejected by its member associations and numerous other federations globally. "We cannot continue with secret plans being pushed through an accelerated process by anonymous individuals whose benefit to football is questionable at best," UEFA said in a statement. "We must identify those responsible and hold them accountable." UEFA asserted that the entire affair has seriously eroded confidence in the top echelons of world football. The organization reminded observers of Infantino's pledges made in 2016 upon becoming FIFA president, which included a commitment to full transparency and ensuring FIFA's funds were used for football development, not private interests. "Those promises have not been kept," UEFA declared. "The plan he tried to push through was anything but transparent. With reserves exceeding five billion dollars, there was no need to sell a portion of the most valuable competition in world football."

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We cannot continue with secret plans being pushed through an accelerated process by anonymous individuals whose benefit to football is questionable at best. We must identify those responsible and hold them accountable.