Berlin provided the setting for another open rupture between European football and FIFA’s leadership, as UEFA’s member associations renewed their call for Gianni Infantino to be replaced.
UEFA backs Ceferin and challenges FIFA leadership
- UEFA’s members met in Berlin on Thursday and supported Aleksander Ceferin’s new bid to remain president of European football’s governing body.
- During the same gathering, the national associations confirmed their opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino continuing as head of world football.
- Azerbaijan was the sole exception among UEFA’s members, while the rest agreed that confidence in FIFA’s current leadership had been lost.
- European football has not yet settled on a candidate to challenge Infantino for the FIFA presidency.
Call for deeper reform
UEFA made clear that changing FIFA’s institutional structures alone would not answer its concerns. The confederation wants a wider overhaul of governance at the global body, alongside a new president.
In its statement, UEFA said its associations were looking for a leader respected across the game and able to bring different regions together. That person, it said, should have deep football experience, a clear vision, credibility throughout the sport and a firm commitment to development, reform, integrity and independence.
Ramon Vega, the Swiss former footballer who once played for Créteil, has again attempted to enter the race. However, his initiative does not have UEFA’s backing and he has previously failed to complete the candidacy process.
The Berlin meeting therefore left European football united in its dissatisfaction with Infantino, but still without a UEFA-supported challenger ready to take him on.
