UEFA, Concacaf and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) don accuse FIFA and im president, Gianni Infantino, of breaking trust through deception. For an open letter wey dem release, dem talk say the matter na about the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those wey dem elect to lead am.
The letter, wey dem sign as presidents and general secretaries, touch on the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. That plan na to create new company wey go manage commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, including World Cup. Dem wan sell 21% to private investment company, but dem abort am after plenty criticism from confederations, especially UEFA wey even threaten to boycott all FIFA competitions.
Inside the letter, dem write: “When trust be broken through deception, when an individual place imself above the collective wey entrust am with authority, that duty don abandon.” Dem add: “Leadership for football no be possession. E no be about holding or demanding power to be held. E be duty of service to the football family wey entrust am.”
Although the statement no mention Infantino name, sources tell BBC Sport say dem wan give am chance to resign and leave im position with dignity. This one come after FIFA issue statement on Saturday evening wey strongly criticise “concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine the organisation and Infantino.
The three confederations wey represent Europe, North America, Central America, Caribbean and Asia also criticise the FIFA statement wey dem release after Infantino call management board members to meeting for Rabat, Morocco last Wednesday. Dem say Infantino shut out FIFA council members and member associations from the meeting, instead e only summon FIFA-employed senior staff.
The open letter say FIFA admission of mistakes for the FFE process no go far enough. E say: “For no point dem acknowledge say the proposal itself inherently wrong. There remain no recognition say attempting to sell interest for FIFA World Cup na profound failure of judgment. E no be just procedural misstep, but fundamental breach of trust with the very institutions FIFA exist to serve.”
FIFA don commit to present report to the next meeting of FIFA council, wey expected to take place for October. But the three confederations talk say this one fail to “recognise that proper governance for face of such profound lack of judgement go require say such review be conducted by fully independent third party.” Dem add: “There be silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness.”
The letter also underline legal warning from UEFA say FIFA should no delete or destroy any documents wey relate to the abandoned plan. UEFA last week insist say FIFA defence of Infantino “changes nothing” about potential boycott of competitions. BBC Sport understand say there don be preliminary discussions between the three confederations over breakaway competitions if Infantino remain for im position.
The parties behind the open letter add say “football strength always be im unity” and say dem write am “not lightly and not alone, but together, and out of duty to the game we serve.” Dem call for unity to be honoured now, for leadership wey serve football, no be to command am.
But so far Concacaf and Asia no don publicly commit to any possible boycott. And within those confederations opposition to Infantino no be guaranteed. For Concacaf, Mexico come out last week to support the FIFA president. Of the 46 AFC members, so far eight countries don publicly back Infantino – United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kuwait, Mongolia, Philippines and Bhutan.
The first test of UEFA threat be just over three weeks away, when FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup go kick off. E dey hosted by Poland and e feature five other European nations, including England. Last week, France talk say dem still dey plan to compete. This one be potentially significant development.
According to sources close to the rebellion against Infantino, dem now dey send am clear message: resign now and leave your position with dignity, instead of seeking re-election for March. Alongside this joint statement, I hear say the three confederations don start preliminary discussions about organising competitions among themselves, so that players fit still compete even if there be boycott of FIFA tournaments such as next month U20 Women’s World Cup.
Since this crisis begin, Asia don be key battleground, region wey fit determine whether Infantino stay for power. Some of the 46 countries for this vast region talk say dem still support Infantino. But the fact say AFC president Sheikh Salman sign off this letter suggest im confident say plenty other people want change. Infantino still get support from South America, Africa, and indeed Mexico within Concacaf. But is that enough? If UEFA and Concacaf vote as bloc against am, e go only need about one-third of AFC to join dem to win any vote. But fit get candidate wey go challenge Infantino and unify the game? The fact say those behind the revolt so keen for am to step down suggest dem still no sure say dem get enough votes.
What dey clear be say this latest solidifying of the rebellion against Infantino dey ramp up pressure on am once again for world football unprecedented civil war.
