UEFA has declared it has lost confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino after world football’s governing body abandoned plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup.
FIFA confirmed it had dropped the proposal following strong opposition from regional confederations. The plan would have raised up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20 per cent stake in a new company responsible for managing FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
The proposal sparked an immediate backlash. Critics said member associations and continental bodies had not been properly consulted before one of football’s biggest commercial decisions.
UEFA, whose 55 member associations unanimously opposed the plan earlier this week, described FIFA’s retreat as “a victory for the whole game”. However, the European governing body said rebuilding trust would take far longer.
In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said the current FIFA leadership had lost not only its confidence but also that of many others across world football.
The organisation accused FIFA of attempting to push through a major commercial deal without transparency or meaningful consultation. It also questioned why the governing body considered selling World Cup rights despite holding financial reserves of more than $5 billion.
UEFA said football could not continue with what it described as secretive plans developed behind closed doors. It added that those responsible should be held accountable and pledged to work with stakeholders on a new approach to distributing football funding through FIFA’s existing Forward programme.
FIFA and Infantino declined to respond to UEFA’s criticism.
The governing body reversed course only days after unveiling the proposal. Infantino said FIFA had listened carefully to the concerns raised before abandoning the plan.
Leaders from other football organisations welcomed the decision but also called for stronger governance. Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said future proposals must involve proper consultation with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders. Football Australia chairman Anter Isaac echoed that view, saying transparency, integrity and due process must remain central to the sport.
The controversy has also raised fresh questions over Infantino’s political future. The FIFA president plans to seek a fourth term next year, but sports analysts believe the failed proposal has exposed growing dissatisfaction that could complicate his path to re-election.
