Key facts
- UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC have accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of deception.
- The confederations stated Infantino's plan to sell stakes in a new company managing World Cup commercial rights was a breach of trust.
- The open letter emphasized that leadership in football is a duty of service.
- FIFA released a statement criticizing efforts to undermine the organization and its president.
- Mexico's football federation has supported Infantino, breaking ranks with CONCACAF.
UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have jointly accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of deception and a breach of trust regarding his plans to effectively privatize the World Cup. In an open letter, the three confederations, representing a majority of FIFA's 211 members, stated that leadership in football is a duty of service and that Infantino's actions abandoned this duty.
The confederations criticized the lack of accountability and openness, asserting that these are not the qualities football deserves in its leadership. They called for unity and leadership that serves the football family.
FIFA responded by criticizing a 'concerted and ongoing effort' to undermine the organization and its president. However, the union of the three confederations is threatened by support for Infantino from some individual associations, including Qatar and Mexico, which broke ranks with CONCACAF.
Infantino has faced criticism since plans to sell stakes in a new company managing the World Cup's commercial rights leaked. Senior figures within FIFA, including COO Kevin Lamour and development chief Arsene Wenger, have also criticized the proposal.