Fifa crisis deepens as three major confederations demand Infantino resign

UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have jointly called for Gianni Infantino to resign as Fifa president, escalating a governance crisis that has engulfed world football's governing body for the past fortnight.

In an open letter released on Monday, the three confederations, which together represent a majority of Fifa's 211 member associations, accuse Infantino of failing to recognise that his proposal to privatise the World Cup's commercial rights constituted "a fundamental breach of trust" rather than a mere procedural error. The letter states that leadership in football "is not a possession" but "a duty of service to the football family that entrusts it".

Privatisation plan triggers revolt

The crisis erupted two weeks ago when details emerged of a plan to create a new company that would manage the commercial rights to the World Cup, with outside investors taking equity stakes. The proposal, which Infantino had pursued without full consultation, drew immediate criticism from within Fifa's own administration. Chief operating officer Kevin Lamour and development chief Arsène Wenger both voiced objections internally.

Fifa responded last week with a statement insisting Infantino retained the backing of its leadership and many member associations. But the confederations' letter suggests that support is fracturing along geographic lines. While the Qatar and Mexico football associations have publicly backed the president, the combined weight of UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC represents a formidable bloc.

Fresh allegations compound pressure

Infantino's difficulties have been compounded by new allegations concerning his personal conduct during his tenure as UEFA general secretary more than a decade ago. He has denied the claims, while Fifa characterised them as part of "a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine Fifa and its president".

The open letter does not reference those allegations directly, focusing instead on the governance failure around the World Cup commercialisation plan. "When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned," the confederation presidents write.

What happens next

Fifa's statutes provide no simple mechanism for removing a sitting president outside of an election or an ethics investigation. The next presidential election is not due until 2027. However, sustained opposition from the three largest confederations could force an extraordinary congress or prompt Infantino to reconsider his position before then. For now, the letter's signatories say they have acted "not lightly and not alone, but together, and out of duty to the game we serve".