ASSUMPTION.- The Conmebol celebrated this Thursday the withdrawal of the project from the FIFA to allow private investment in its competitions, including the World Cupsbut expressed his “concern about the repeated unilateral actions” of football’s governing body.
Considered close to the head of FIFA, Gianni Infantinothe South American confederation questioned in a statement the handling given by the highest football authority to the project FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
Without directly mentioning Infantino, Conmebol expressed “unanimously its concern about the repeated unilateral actions adopted without resorting to dialogue or the institutional mechanisms provided for the treatment of this type of situation.”
The body chaired by the Paraguayan Alejandro Dominguezwhich initially was more cautious than other associations in its position on FFE, questioned this Thursday the effect that the initiative had on the image of FIFA and football.
“In a matter of days, football went from occupying the center of world attention for the holding of an extraordinary sporting event (the 2026 World Cup) to concentrating public debate on issues related to its governance,” he said in his message.
However, Conmebol insisted that it would not support any initiative to remove Infantino before the FIFA presidential elections to be held in Rabat next March.
The Italian-Swiss’s opponents could attempt his dismissal through a vote of no confidence, for which they need the necessary votes to force the convening of an extraordinary FIFA Congress.
“Conmebol will not accompany any action or procedure that is unaware of or deviates from said institutional mechanisms,” added the entity, which advocated for “respect for institutions, governance and democratic procedures.”
The one of South America It was the first confederation to announce its support for the re-election of Infantino, the only candidate, for now, for the elections.
The South American entity also expects the support of the FIFA president for its proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.
In the eye of the hurricane
Infantino faces unusual pressure after his proposal to open the doors to private capital in commercial and sports activities, such as the World Cupsfrom FIFA.
The possibility of incorporating private investors provoked rapid and widespread opposition from the football world against Infantino.
The powerful UEFAwhich brings together 55 European federations, leads the opposition against the boss of football and this Thursday announced that it maintains its boycott of FIFA competitions.
