Three of FIFA's six confederations have publicly criticized President Gianni Infantino over his handling of a proposed sale of a stake in World Cup commercial rights. In an open letter addressed to the "football family," the presidents of UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF have called for leadership that prioritizes the game and demanded an independent review of the now-abandoned proposal.

Concerns Over Trust and Leadership

The letter, co-signed by the leaders of the three confederations, accused Infantino of breaking trust through deception and placing his interests above those of the collective. "Football’s strength has always been its unity," the letter stated, urging for that unity to be honored and for leadership that serves the sport rather than commands it. This criticism comes in the wake of Infantino's recent proposal to sell 20% of World Cup commercial rights to private investors, a plan that aimed to generate approximately $4.2 billion but was quickly abandoned.

Potential Boycotts and Alternative Competitions

Sources indicate that UEFA, along with AFC and CONCACAF, is considering a boycott of FIFA tournaments unless assurances are made that similar proposals will not arise in the future. The confederations are also exploring the possibility of organizing their own competitions to provide players with opportunities to compete amid the ongoing crisis with FIFA. The statement emphasized that "leadership in football is not a possession" but rather a duty of service to the football community.

Call for Independent Review

The confederations also expressed discontent with a recent FIFA emergency meeting held in Morocco, noting that only one elected official attended. They reiterated their demand for an independent review to investigate the circumstances surrounding what they described as a "profound failure of judgement." U.S. Soccer and Canada Soccer, along with regional unions from the Caribbean and Central America, have joined this call for "meaningful" change within FIFA.

As Infantino seeks reelection in March, the pressure from these confederations highlights the growing unrest within the football community regarding his leadership and decision-making processes.