COPENHAGEN: Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) president Aleksander Ceferin criticised Gianni Infantino’s leadership on Tuesday over a failed commercial project, a political peace prize and an on-field decision.
Infantino heads the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Although Ceferin did not name him, his address to the European Football Clubs (EFC) general assembly targeted controversies surrounding FIFA’s leadership.
Drawing on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, Ceferin declared: “The emperor is naked.”
He argued that calling decisions “development” or “consultation” could not disguise secrecy or the sale of football’s future. His criticism included the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
Ceferin also questioned the creation of a peace prize for Donald Trump without board consultation. In reference to the Folarin Balogun affair, he described a political leader’s telephone complaint followed by a changed sporting decision.
He asked club representatives whether their boards would tolerate comparable conduct from senior executives and urged them to reject it.
Read: FIFA COO Kevin Lamour Exits After Criticising Infantino Plan
However, FIFA accused UEFA earlier on Tuesday of running a misinformation campaign and trying to influence its presidential election.
It asked a US court to reject UEFA’s request for documents intended for a planned criminal complaint against Infantino.
Meanwhile, EFC chair Nasser al-Khelaifi ruled out seeking the FIFA presidency. Instead, he proposed creating World Football Clubs to represent clubs beyond Europe.
Read: FIFA Ethics Complaint Filed Over Infantino’s Peace Prize to Trump
Senior UEFA figures remain determined to find a challenger to Infantino, according to The Guardian. Nominations close on November 18 for next March’s election.
