Joint push from UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF to Infantino: 'Leadership in football is not a property'

The presidents of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have issued a joint statement containing harsh criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

In the statement signed by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, AFC President Salman Bin İbrahim Al Khalifa, and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, it was emphasized that football does not belong to any individual or institution. The statement declared, "Football belongs to the players, the fans, the clubs, the member associations, and all the institutions tasked with protecting its future."

The three confederations stated that many stakeholders have contributed to the growth of football in recent years, noting that the current debate cannot be viewed merely as an economic issue. The statement assessed, "This matter is not about money."

In the text, which highlights criticisms regarding the management style at FIFA, it was stated that leadership is a responsibility of service, not an exercise of power. The statement included the following remarks: "Leadership in football is not a property. It is not about holding onto power or demanding that power be held. Leadership is a service duty undertaken for the football family that trusts it."

The joint statement also reacted to the official apology letter sent to the 211 member associations affiliated with FIFA under the signature of Gianni Infantino. Arguing that FIFA's characterization of the process as a "communication failure" is insufficient, the statement said, "What football has witnessed is a failure of judgment and common sense."

The statement further expressed that the attempt to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup cannot be considered merely a procedural error, noting that this situation has created a serious trust issue between FIFA and the institutions it is obligated to serve.

Pointing to FIFA's commitment to present a comprehensive report on the matter to the FIFA Council, the three confederations stated that the investigation should not be conducted by FIFA itself or stakeholders within football, but by a completely independent third party. They called for the FIFA administration to take no part in this process and for all relevant documents and records to be preserved.

The text also criticized the meeting Infantino held with senior FIFA executives in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. It was noted that only "certain selected officials" were invited to the meeting, which, it was recorded, has increased existing concerns.

At the end of the statement, it was emphasized that football should be managed in unity and with a spirit of service. The three confederations called for a leadership approach that "serves football, rather than trying to manage and rule it."