Confederations express concerns over leadership
Three major football confederations, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Concacaf, and UEFA, have collectively addressed the global football community through an open letter. The letter expresses significant concerns regarding the leadership within football’s governing bodies, advocating for a leadership approach that prioritises service to the sport over personal authority. This joint statement comes amidst escalating tensions following details emerging about a proposed scheme.
The confederations have accused the current leadership of a “failure of judgement” rather than merely a “failure of communication.” They highlight a proposal that was advanced without meaningful consultation and pushed towards a deadline, limiting proper review by Member Associations. The letter asserts that this was not an oversight but a deliberate design to limit scrutiny.
The open letter, signed by AFC President Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Concacaf President Victor Montagliani, and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, along with their respective General Secretaries, underscores the belief that leadership in football is a duty of service. It states that when trust is broken through deception, and an individual places themselves above the collective, that duty is abandoned.
Integrity and governance issues raised
A central point of contention raised by the confederations is the attempt to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup. They describe this as a “profound failure of judgement” and a “fundamental breach of trust” with the institutions FIFA is meant to serve. The letter criticises the lack of recognition that the proposal itself was inherently wrong.
The confederations also call for an independent review of these events, conducted by a body outside of football. This stance contrasts with a commitment from FIFA to present a full report to the FIFA Council, which the confederations argue would not constitute proper governance due to the involvement of FIFA itself and its staff.
Concerns were further reinforced by a recent meeting in Morocco, where only one elected official was present alongside a select number of the management committee, rather than the full committee or FIFA Council members. The letter suggests this pattern of conduct indicates a leader who believes the game is answerable to them, rather than acting as a custodian.
Unity and future of competitions
The letter directly addresses fears that Member Associations might lose financial support under different leadership, stating that the issue is not about any association losing earned support. It also clarifies that the confederations are not seeking to revisit decisions regarding the expansion of competitions or World Cup allocations, as these were collectively agreed upon.
The growth of football over the past decade, including expanded tournaments and the awarding of the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups, is acknowledged as a shared achievement resulting from the collective efforts of FIFA, the confederations, and Member Associations. The letter emphasises that this progress was never the work of one individual.
Preliminary discussions have begun among the three confederations regarding the organisation of new competitions. There have also been threats from UEFA to boycott FIFA events, with alternative options being explored for upcoming tournaments, such as the next month’s under-20 women’s World Cup, which could potentially proceed without European teams.
The letter concludes by stressing that football’s strength lies in its unity and calls for this unity to be honoured. It advocates for leadership that serves football, rather than seeking to command it. Candidates for the FIFA election must announce their bids by 18 November.
Source: uefa.com
