Continental football associations accuse FIFA and Infantino of deception

In addition to Infantino, the recipients of the letter also include members of the FIFA Council. The signatories demand a comprehensive review of the proceedings and a clear distancing from the plans criticized as "privatization." Several associations are also insisting on reforms to decision-making processes and transparency rules.

Demands on FIFA

The AFC, the Asian continental association, is among the most prominent signatories of the letter. Representatives from the Caribbean and other regional associations have also joined the letter. Observers consider the breadth of support remarkable, as confederations have rarely publicly opposed the FIFA leadership in the past.

UEFA, the European association, has not officially commented on the letter so far. Observers interpret this as an indication of a wait-and-see stance, after there had been repeated tensions between Zurich and Nyon in recent years. A UEFA statement has been requested.

Background: The investor plans

The background is a series of reports about plans by FIFA to sell a stake in the future revenues from the football World Cup to one or more investors. The plans had triggered international criticism and were eventually withdrawn. Critics feared that such a step could permanently place control of the most important football tournament in the hands of private financiers.

With the letter, the dispute between parts of the football family and the FIFA leadership is escalating. The associations accuse the federation leadership of having portrayed the criticism of the investor plans as a purely formal error, rather than fundamentally distancing itself from the undertaking.

Reactions and outlook

The tone of the letter suggests that the dispute will be taken up again at the next FIFA Congress. Observers expect that the demands for an independent investigation and reforms at the federation leadership will be raised. Infantino himself has not yet publicly commented on the letter.

FIFA spokespersons stated upon request that they take the concerns of the member associations seriously and would discuss them at the next committee meetings. A statement from Infantino personally was initially pending.

The proceedings shed light on the debate about the future financing and governance of FIFA that has been smoldering for years. The letter from the continental associations could increase the pressure on the world governing body to initiate fundamental reforms.