Major football bodies pen letter seeking Infantino exit over 'deception'

UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC have united to deliver an open letter to FIFA, demanding the resignation of President Gianni Infantino. The governing bodies assert that Infantino's proposal to sell shares in the World Cup represents a "fundamental breach of trust" in the international soccer community. In their open letter to the "football family," the confederations emphasize that once trust is shattered through deceit, an individual has forfeited their authority.

The letter is co-signed by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, AFC President Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, alongside three general secretaries. The message underscores that football is a collective endeavor, belonging to players, fans, clubs, member associations, and institutions committed to preserving its future.

Infantino's administration is under scrutiny following his unsuccessful attempt to sell World Cup stakes to private equity firms. The letter criticizes Infantino's actions as lacking the qualities befitting a football leader, emphasizing that these attributes are incompatible with the game's spirit. The governing bodies have previously threatened to exclude European nations from the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments while Infantino remains in office.

Norway's football federation has called for Infantino's dismissal, and the English Football Association has withdrawn its support for his re-election bid in March. Despite FIFA's apology for errors related to the failed plan and a reaffirmation of support for Infantino during a leadership meeting in Morocco, the letter contends that the meeting only involved FIFA's management committee, not senior staff or member associations.

FIFA has defended Infantino, dismissing the allegations as an attempt to undermine his leadership, but the letter maintains that Infantino's conduct lacks the integrity required of a football leader.