CONCACAF calls for review of Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidency

CONCACAF has withdrawn its confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino, adding to growing pressure on his leadership after UEFA issued a similarly critical statement.

The latest dispute follows a plan developed by Infantino to sell parts of the World Cup. He abandoned the proposal after opposition from a number of countries, but that retreat did not repair relations with UEFA.

European football’s governing body published a strongly worded statement saying it had lost confidence in Infantino. CONCACAF has now followed with its own condemnation, questioning the way decisions about the World Cup have been made and calling for a detailed examination of the FIFA presidency.

“The events of the past few days have brought to light an issue that can no longer be ignored,” CONCACAF said.

“The future of the World Cup, a major asset of world football, has been neglected by every existing governance framework, without transparency, consultation or an adequate process. It is a symptom of leadership that no longer puts football first,” the organisation added.

CONCACAF also criticised the decision-making process surrounding the proposal, describing it as part of a wider pattern rather than an isolated incident.

“This recent, unilateral and blatant act of poor governance and leadership is part of a series of similar mistakes and behaviours. A thorough review of this presidency is absolutely necessary,” it said.

The statement places Infantino’s position under significant pressure. Alongside UEFA and CONCACAF, 90 of FIFA’s 211 member associations have already declared themselves against him, according to the article.

A majority of FIFA members would be required to remove Infantino permanently. However, any such dismissal would have to be decided at an extraordinary meeting.

The dispute centres on the governance of the World Cup and the process used to determine its future. CONCACAF said the competition’s importance to global football had not been properly reflected in the existing decision-making arrangements.

Its criticism came after UEFA’s public rejection of Infantino’s leadership, meaning that opposition has now been expressed by both the European and CONCACAF confederations. The two statements have intensified the challenge facing the FIFA president, although the article does not state that a removal vote has been scheduled.

Infantino’s decision to abandon the plan to sell parts of the World Cup followed resistance from several countries. The move was therefore withdrawn, but CONCACAF said the episode exposed deeper concerns about transparency, consultation and governance.

For Infantino to be removed, opposition would have to reach a majority of FIFA’s 211 members. The 90 countries already counted among those opposing him do not, by themselves, constitute that majority. A final decision would also require the matter to be considered at an extraordinary meeting.

The immediate consequence of the statements from UEFA and CONCACAF is to leave the FIFA president facing an increasingly serious challenge to his authority.