3 weeks ago
FIFA revolt deepens as confederations accuse Infantino of 'deception'
FIFA is the organization that runs soccer around the world, and its president is Gianni Infantino.
He had a plan to sell part of the money-making rights to the World Cup to private investors.
That plan was given up.
Three big soccer groups — UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF — are very angry about it.
They sent an open letter to everyone in soccer saying Infantino broke their trust 'through deception.'
They want an independent person to review what happened.
They also said they might stop taking part in FIFA tournaments unless FIFA promises that similar plans will not come back.
Some national federations want Infantino to leave his job, and England's Football Association no longer supports his re-election.
FIFA says it apologizes for mistakes, but its senior staff still support Infantino.
Soccer works best when everyone cooperates, so this fight is a big deal for the sport.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF released an open letter on Monday accusing FIFA President Gianni Infantino of breaking trust 'through deception' over the abandoned World Cup rights sale.
The abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan would have created a new company managing commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, with 21% sold to a private investment company.
The confederations called for a fully independent third-party review, saying a FIFA-conducted report would not be proper governance.
The letter threatened a boycott of FIFA tournaments unless FIFA promises that no similar schemes will be proposed in the future.
Norway's football federation called for Infantino to step down and the English FA withdrew support for his re-election, while FIFA's senior staff reaffirmed full support for his presidency.
- Who
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino, challenged by UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF, whose presidents Aleksander Ceferin, Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa and Victor Montagliani co-signed the open letter.
- What
- The three confederations published an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust 'through deception' over the abandoned plan to sell a 21% stake in World Cup commercial rights, and calling for a fully independent review.
- Where
- No specific location was reported for the letter; FIFA's crisis leadership meeting took place in Rabat, Morocco.
- When
- Monday, when the open letter was published; FIFA had apologized for errors made over the failed plan last Wednesday.
- Why
- Because of Infantino's conduct during the proposed sale of an interest in the World Cup, which the confederations describe as a failure of judgment rather than a failure of communication.
Confederations' Criticism
FIFA's Response
Nature of the failure
Confederations' Criticism
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF describe the episode as a failure of judgment, with trust broken 'through deception' and a 'fundamental breach of trust' with the institutions FIFA serves.
FIFA's Response
FIFA's letter acknowledges mistakes were made but treats the episode as a failure of communication rather than a failure of judgment.
Leadership conduct
Confederations' Criticism
The confederations say Infantino 'placed himself above the collective' and that leadership is a duty of service, not possession, citing the closed management committee meeting in Morocco.
FIFA's Response
FIFA apologized for errors, and senior staff at a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco 'reaffirmed their full support' for Infantino's presidency.
Review process
Confederations' Criticism
The confederations demand a fully independent third-party review in which the FIFA administration plays no role.
FIFA's Response
FIFA committed to presenting a full report on these events to the FIFA Council.
Key facts
- FIFA President
- Gianni Infantino
- Accusing confederations
- UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF
- Open letter co-signers
- Aleksander Ceferin, Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Victor Montagliani
- Abandoned plan
- FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)
- Plan details
- New company for commercial and ticketing rights to all FIFA competitions, 21% sold to private investors
- Core accusation
- Trust broken 'through deception'; 'fundamental breach of trust'
- Key demand
- Fully independent third-party review
- Consequences threatened
- Boycott of FIFA tournaments; Norway wants Infantino to step down; English FA withdrew re-election support
Quotes
UEFA representative (backed by AFC and CONCACAF)
Official from UEFA, supported by AFC and CONCACAF, addressing FIFA leadership
“When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.”
telegraphindia.com
“Football’s strength has always been its unity, we call for that unity to be honoured now, for leadership that serves football, not seeks to command it.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Fifa revolt deepens: Infantino won't survive after 'trust broken through deception'
Infantino rebuked: Read UEFA, CONCACAF, AFC’s scathing reply to FIFA president
Open letter accuses Fifa & Infantino of 'deception': Call for third-party review grows
Gianni Infantino's World Cup plans: UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC accuse FIFA of ‘deception’ and ‘breach of trust’
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