Confederations Address Governance Concerns
Several major football confederations are collaborating to establish a new operational framework for global football. This initiative aims to replace the current system, which some perceive as a patronage-based model adopted by FIFA since Gianni Infantino became president. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Concacaf, and UEFA have repeatedly requested an independent review of FIFA’s governance, particularly after Infantino’s proposal to sell a portion of the World Cup was made public. These calls have reportedly been unaddressed, leading the confederations to develop their own policy document.
Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that the three confederations are working on a document that outlines how the world governing body could evolve. This includes fundamental questions about FIFA’s precise role, its structural organisation, and the governance model it should adopt. The distribution of financial resources among member associations is also a key area of consideration within this new framework.
Calls for Accountability and Unity
The confederations released a joint statement emphasising the need for leadership that serves football rather than seeking to command it. This statement echoed sentiments previously expressed by Victor Montagliani, the Concacaf president, who stated that leadership is not about power. The joint letter highlighted that football’s growth over the past decade was a shared achievement involving FIFA, confederations, member associations, and numerous individuals dedicated to the sport.
The letter also addressed concerns about a recent proposal, which it described as being advanced on a compressed timeline without meaningful consultation, designed to limit scrutiny. It criticised the lack of recognition that attempting to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup was a significant failure of judgment and a breach of trust. The confederations also noted that a proper review of such events should be conducted by an independent third party, not by FIFA itself or its staff.
Further concerns were raised regarding a leadership meeting in Morocco, where only one elected official was present, alongside FIFA-employed senior staff. No FIFA Council members or member associations were invited to participate in this meeting, which the confederations view as a continuation of a problematic pattern of conduct.
Potential Future Actions
If Infantino does not engage with the proposed new framework, it could be adopted by a challenger in the upcoming presidential election. There is also a possibility that it could serve as a template for a breakaway organisation. Preliminary discussions have begun among UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC regarding the organisation of new competitions if the current standoff with FIFA’s leadership continues.
Currently, the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for next month, could proceed without European teams. UEFA maintains that its members will boycott the tournament unless FIFA swiftly establishes an independent review of the World Cup sell-off situation and provides legally binding assurances that such actions will not recur. UEFA continues to uphold its pledge to boycott FIFA competitions, as it has not received the desired assurances regarding the prevention of future issues.
Senior figures from European football are holding meetings in Salzburg, where the UEFA Super Cup final is set to take place. These gatherings mark the first in-person meetings since the FIFA Forward Enterprise matter became public. Aleksander Ceferin, the UEFA president, is scheduled to hold discussions with Nasser al-Khelaifi, the chair of European Football Clubs, with the aim of strengthening continental unity in demanding changes at the top of FIFA.
Source: uefa.com
