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FIFA: three confederations accuse Gianni Infantino of breaking trust
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 2 min read
The essentials
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation have accused FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, of breaking trust “through deception” over the abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise project. The plan would have created a company to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, including the World Cups, with a 21% stake sold to a private investment company. The signatories want a fully independent third party to review the matter. FIFA says the letter is part of a “concerted and ongoing effort” to weaken the organisation and Infantino.
- UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC have challenged FIFA and Gianni Infantino.
- The abandoned project included selling a 21% stake in a new company.
- The signatories are calling for a fully independent review.
- FIFA says a concerted effort is being made to weaken it and Infantino.
What we know
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation have accused FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, of breaking trust “through deception” in an open letter, according to BBC Sport.
The letter was signed by the presidents and general secretaries of the three confederations. It says the controversy surrounding the Fifa Forward Enterprise project is fundamentally about the integrity of football and its elected leaders.
Concacaf represents football associations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, while the Asian Football Confederation, or AFC, brings together the associations of Asia.
The abandoned commercial project
The disputed Fifa Forward Enterprise project would have created a company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights for every FIFA competition, including the World Cups.
A 21% stake in that company would have been sold to a private investment company.
FIFA abandoned the project after widespread criticism from several confederations, led by UEFA, which threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions.
The letter targets the conduct of the presidency
Without naming Gianni Infantino in that passage, the signatories refer to an individual placing himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority.
They argue that breaking trust through deception amounts to abandoning one’s duty.
BBC Sport sources interpret the wording as an invitation for Infantino to resign and leave office with dignity.
FIFA’s response
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, FIFA denounced what it called a “concerted and ongoing effort” against the organisation and Infantino.
The open letter calls for a fully independent third party to review the matter.
The demand follows FIFA’s commitment to submit a report in October to the FIFA Council, its main decision-making body between congresses.
Key figures
21%
Proposed stake in the company to be sold to a private investor
2016
Year Gianni Infantino was first elected FIFA president
Gianni Infantino was first elected president of FIFA in 2016.
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