UEFA, along with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), have issued a joint statement calling for 'accountability' and 'openness' from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The move intensifies pressure on the FIFA chief following the failure of his plan to sell a stake in future World Cups to external investors.
Joint statement demands change
The three confederations expressed that football 'belongs to no individual and no institution' and that progress in the sport 'was never the work of one individual.' They emphasized that achievements like expanded tournaments and the awarding of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups were 'shared achievements, agreed together, delivered together.'
The statement also addressed the distribution of FIFA's reserves, saying there has been a call for 'responsible distribution' to strengthen investment in member associations. It dismissed fears that member associations might lose support, labeling such concerns as 'fearmongering.'
Integrity at stake
The confederations stressed that their stance is about 'the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it,' noting 'silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness.' They called for 'leadership that serves football, not seeks to command it.'
Over the weekend, FIFA responded with a statement accusing 'a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine' the governing body and its president. FIFA described recent reporting as containing 'unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims' and defended Infantino's 30-year career in football, highlighting his contributions to broadening access and resources across the sport.
