Three confederations demand Infantino’s resignation over World Cup stake sale
The Asian Football Confederation joins European and North American bodies in calling for an independent review of FIFA leadership following the withdrawal of a controversial private investment plan.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have issued a joint open letter demanding the resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The statement, released on Monday, marks a significant escalation in governance tensions, with the three confederations citing a fundamental breakdown in trust and leadership integrity.
The letter, titled “Open letter to the football family,” argues that football’s achievements belong to the collective rather than any single individual. It asserts that when an elected official places themselves above the body that granted them authority, the duty of service has been abandoned. The confederations emphasised that leadership is not a possession but a responsibility owed to the football family.
The primary catalyst for the joint action was Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, a plan that was withdrawn following widespread backlash. The confederations accused the president of failing to communicate the initiative adequately and not providing sufficient time for member associations to review the matter before a vote. They further criticised FIFA for not acknowledging that the proposal was inherently flawed.
Beyond the financial proposal, the letter questioned Infantino’s recent decision to hold a leadership meeting in Morocco on Wednesday. The confederations noted that few elected officials were present, with no FIFA council members or member associations invited. They also highlighted that only select members of the FIFA management committee were asked to attend, rather than the full body, and questioned why the meeting was held abroad instead of at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.
In response to the mounting pressure, the confederations have called for a fully independent third-party review of the stake sale proposal, stating they do not trust FIFA to conduct the assessment itself. They concluded that the current leadership lacks the accountability and openness required by the sport, urging a return to unity and shared governance.
FIFA has previously defended Infantino against allegations related to his tenure at UEFA, describing them as part of a concerted effort to undermine his leadership. This defence followed reports that Infantino made a departure payment to a former staffer, which UEFA confirmed was compliant with regulations, while Infantino has categorically denied other allegations regarding personal misconduct.
The joint letter underscores a deepening rift between the president and the major continental bodies, with the AFC, UEFA and Concacaf united in their demand for new leadership. The situation highlights ongoing scrutiny of FIFA’s internal processes and the transparency of its executive decisions.
