Three of world football's regional confederations are collaborating on a new governance framework for the sport, moving to challenge what they describe as a system of patronage under Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Key facts
- Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are working together on a new framework for running world football, according to the Guardian.
- The confederations regard Fifa's current system as one of patronage adopted since Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as president 10 years ago.
- Repeated calls for an independent review of Fifa's governance have been ignored by Infantino.
- A plan to sell off 21% of the World Cup was made public a fortnight before the report.
- The rebel confederations are understood to have taken matters into their own hands.
Opponents of Fifa president Gianni Infantino are working together to produce a new framework for running world football, according to the Guardian. The move is intended to replace what they regard as a system of patronage that Fifa has adopted since Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as president 10 years ago.
Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are collaborating on the new system, the report says. Their cooperation marks an escalation in tensions between the regional confederations and football’s global governing body.
According to the Guardian, repeated calls from the three confederations for an independent review of Fifa’s governance have been ignored by Infantino. The rebel groups are now understood to have taken matters into their own hands in response.
The dispute has intensified since a plan to sell off 21% of the World Cup was made public a fortnight before the report. That plan appears to have prompted the confederations to act.
The Guardian frames the development as a direct challenge to Infantino’s leadership, with the confederations seeking an alternative to the current structure they criticise as a system of patronage.
Why it matters
Fifa governs the world's most popular sport and its flagship tournament, the World Cup, so a rift with three of its most powerful regional confederations could reshape how global football is run. A rival framework backed by Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC would represent a significant challenge to Infantino's authority.
Frequently asked questions
Which confederations are involved in the new framework?
According to the Guardian, Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are working together on the new framework for running world football.
What triggered the confederations to act?
The report says the confederations moved after repeated calls for an independent review of Fifa's governance were ignored, and following the public disclosure of a plan to sell off 21% of the World Cup.
How long has Infantino been Fifa president?
According to the Guardian, Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as president 10 years ago.