UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF criticise FIFA President Gianni Infantino in open letter

Three regional football confederations — UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC — believe that FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s latest plan to sell part of the rights to the World Cup constitutes a fundamental breach of trust towards the organisations the governing body was created to serve, Euronews reports.

In an open letter addressed to the football family, the confederations said: “When deception undermines trust, and when an individual places himself above the community that empowered him, he breaches his duty. Football is the world’s greatest shared passion. It does not belong to any single individual or organisation. It belongs to the players, the fans, the clubs, the national associations and every institution entrusted with safeguarding its future.”

The document was signed by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, as well as the three organisations’ general secretaries.

Infantino had previously proposed selling stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investment funds. The idea drew sharp criticism across the football world, while numerous national football associations affiliated with UEFA called for Infantino’s resignation.