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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under renewed pressure after three major football confederations issued a strongly worded joint letter insisting that the sport cannot be controlled by any individual.
UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) released the letter on Monday, apparently in response to the growing controversy surrounding Infantino’s leadership and recent proposals involving private investment in FIFA competitions.
The FIFA president faced sharp criticism after unveiling plans to attract private investment into some of the organisation’s competitions, including the World Cup. The proposal was withdrawn only days after it was announced, but the controversy has continued to raise questions about FIFA’s governance and decision-making processes.
In their joint statement, the three confederations stressed that football leadership should serve the collective interests of the sport rather than those of an individual.
“Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding or demanding power to be held,” they said.
The confederations also warned that leadership responsibilities are compromised when trust between governing bodies and their officials breaks down.
“When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” they added.
The statement comes days after FIFA accused some of its critics of conducting what it described as a “concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine the organisation and Infantino.
The governing body has defended its leadership while pushing back against criticism of its recent decisions. But Monday’s intervention from three influential confederations indicates that concerns over FIFA’s direction remain unresolved.
UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC represent some of the most significant regional blocs within global football, making their coordinated criticism particularly notable.
The dispute comes at a time when FIFA is facing increased scrutiny over its governance, commercial partnerships and the future direction of its major competitions.
While the confederations did not name Infantino directly in every part of their statement, their remarks about leadership, trust and the concentration of power are likely to intensify debate over his presidency and the balance of authority within world football.
