Current FIFA Leadership Has Lost Our Confidence — UEFA

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has withdrawn its support for FIFA’s current leadership, declaring that it no longer has confidence in President Gianni Infantino following a controversial proposal to allow private investment in the FIFA World Cup.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, UEFA accused FIFA of handling the proposal through a “shabby, back room, opaque” process, saying the governing body’s actions had eroded trust across the global football community.

The criticism came despite Infantino’s decision to abandon the proposal earlier on Saturday after widespread opposition from football stakeholders.

“Our purpose has always been — and will always be — to unite and improve,” Infantino said while announcing the withdrawal of the plan.

“As a result, this proposal will not proceed.”

FIFA had unveiled the proposal on Tuesday, explaining that a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would oversee competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

The organisation estimated the venture could be valued at about $20 billion and raise as much as $4.2 billion through private investment.

According to FIFA, the funds would have enabled each of its 211 member associations to receive a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 while increasing development funding for the 2027–2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.

However, UEFA led opposition to the proposal, reportedly warning that European football associations could boycott FIFA competitions if the plan went ahead.

Although UEFA welcomed FIFA’s decision to withdraw the proposal, it insisted the episode had severely damaged confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

“The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA’s confidence but also that of many other members of the football family,” the statement said.

UEFA further accused Infantino of abandoning the principles of transparency and accountability that formed the basis of his successful election campaign in 2016.

The European governing body recalled that Infantino had promised FIFA’s finances belonged to its member associations and not to the president.

“On both these promises, he has failed to deliver,” UEFA stated.

The controversy has raised fresh questions over Infantino’s leadership ahead of his expected bid for a final term as FIFA president next year.