UEFA has stated that it has lost confidence in the current leadership of FIFA, headed by Gianni Infantino. The European confederation states that the FIFA president "has failed to deliver" on the key promises made at the time of his election ten years ago. The statement notes that the current leadership has lost not only the confidence of UEFA but also the support of many other members of the football family.
This statement follows Infantino's confirmation on Saturday that FIFA will not proceed with the proposal to sell stakes in the governing body's competitions to private investors. UEFA welcomed the move, describing the withdrawal of the controversial investment plan as "a victory for the sport". The initiative had sparked widespread dissatisfaction within the football community.
Prior to the final rejection of the plan, UEFA had previously voted to boycott the World Cup should the proposal be implemented. Other governing bodies had also expressed strong opposition to such financial manipulations in football, considering that they would jeopardise the integrity of the competitions.
Infantino is currently under significant pressure following the consequences of these plans, while preparing for his re-election. His candidacy for a fourth term is expected at the FIFA Congress in March, and the loss of confidence from key partners such as UEFA could significantly affect the outcome of the vote.
UEFA stated on Saturday that it welcomes the decision to withdraw the plan, viewing it as a step towards restoring stability and trust in world football governance. The accusations of unfulfilled promises cite Infantino's speech during the 2016 presidential campaign, highlighting the gap between the pre-election promises and the actual results.
