**Title: UEFA President Ceferin Critiques FIFA's Infantino Over Failed Project**
**Copenhagen, Denmark** – UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin delivered a pointed critique of FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the European Football Clubs General Assembly held in Copenhagen on September 29, 2026. Ceferin's remarks centered around Infantino's controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which aimed to create a commercial subsidiary for FIFA's major competitions, including the World Cups, and allow private investors to acquire a stake in the entity.
In a speech that drew parallels to Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale "The Emperor's New Clothes," Ceferin asserted that Infantino's assurances regarding the project were misleading. He stated, “The emperor is naked,” emphasizing that the language used by FIFA to defend the shelved initiative was disingenuous.
Ceferin referenced the story in which an emperor is convinced he is wearing invisible clothes, only for a child to reveal the truth. He suggested that the current state of affairs in football is similar, with FIFA's rhetoric surrounding the project masking uncomfortable realities. “Almost 200 years ago, he [Andersen] wrote The Emperor’s New Clothes,” Ceferin noted, highlighting the disconnect between FIFA's claims and the actual implications of the proposal.
Infantino had promoted the FIFA Forward Enterprise as a means to enhance funding for football development, claiming it was subject to a process of democratic consultation with FIFA's 211 member associations. However, the proposal faced significant backlash and was ultimately abandoned. Ceferin challenged the notion that selling a portion of football's future could be framed as development, stating, “Selling part of football’s future does not become development because you say it’s ‘development.’”
He further criticized the idea that presenting a nearly finalized deal to national associations could be considered democratic, remarking, “Putting a fait accompli in front of national associations does not mean democratisation, even if you call it ‘democratisation.’” Ceferin's comments suggest a growing frustration with the governance of football and the decision-making processes within FIFA.
During his address, Ceferin urged club executives to reflect on their own organizations. He posed a hypothetical scenario in which a senior official secretly negotiated a deal that compromised the club’s core assets without informing the board or stakeholders. “What would your board do?” he asked, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in football governance.
Ceferin concluded his remarks by calling for a collective stand against practices that undermine the integrity of the sport. He accused certain decision-makers of manipulating rules to suit their interests and sidelining those who should have a voice in the decision-making process. “It’s time to say enough,” he declared, signaling a call for reform and greater integrity in football governance.
The tensions between UEFA and FIFA have been prominent in recent years, particularly regarding governance, financial transparency, and the direction of global football. Ceferin's comments reflect an ongoing struggle for power and influence within the sport, as UEFA seeks to assert its position in the face of FIFA's expansive ambitions.
As the football community continues to grapple with these issues, Ceferin's speech serves as a reminder of the critical need for transparency, accountability, and genuine consultation in the governance of football.