Sport
AFC, UEFA, and CONCACAF Issue Joint Letter Criticizing FIFA President
Three major football confederations have publicly accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of undermining trust through deceptive practices.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have issued a joint open letter criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The letter, signed by AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, and their CONCACAF counterpart, accuses Infantino of damaging the trust of member associations and prioritizing personal authority over the collective interests of the sport.
The conflict stems from a previously proposed FIFA plan to establish a new entity to manage commercial rights and ticketing for major tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups. This plan included a provision to sell a 21% stake to a private investment firm. Although Infantino later announced the cancellation of this plan, citing a misunderstanding in communication, the three confederations have moved forward with this public rebuke.
For residents and travelers in Thailand, this development highlights significant internal governance tensions within global football. While this dispute does not directly impact daily life or travel logistics, it underscores ongoing debates regarding the commercialization of the sport. It remains to be confirmed how FIFA will formally respond to these allegations and whether this public disagreement will lead to further structural changes within the organization.