**Title: UEFA President Highlights Trust Issues in World Football Following FIFA's Investment Plan Collapse**
In a recent address at the Portugal Football Summit, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin expressed deep concerns regarding the current state of trust in world football. His remarks came in the wake of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal for a review of FIFA's decision-making processes, following the controversial collapse of a private-investment plan that had stirred significant opposition.
Ceferin emphasized that the collapse of the proposed investment, which aimed to sell a 20% stake in FIFA's commercial rights, including those related to the World Cup, had not restored the trust that had been compromised. He pointed out that the principles of unity, transparency, and governance are crucial for maintaining confidence in the sport. “Trust in our sport rests on three pillars: unity, transparency, and governance that serves the many, not the few,” Ceferin stated.
The UEFA President's comments, while not directly naming Infantino or FIFA, were clearly directed at the governing body and its recent decisions. The investment proposal faced strong opposition from various football confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF, leading to its eventual abandonment in July. Ceferin reiterated UEFA's long-standing position that “Football is not for sale,” underscoring the organization's commitment to protecting the integrity of the sport.
In his address, Ceferin remarked on the need for those in leadership positions within football to prioritize the game over personal ambitions. He noted that the project that disrupted the unity of world football may have been scrapped, but the damage to trust remains. “The trust it broke has not returned, and repairing it is our work now,” he said, highlighting the responsibility of football leaders to restore faith in the sport.
Infantino's recent letter to the FIFA Council and the presidents of all 211 member associations proposed an independent external review of FIFA's governance framework. He suggested consultations with confederations, member associations, and other stakeholders to enhance decision-making processes. The review aims to explore the roles of FIFA's president, bureau, Council, and Congress, with a focus on improving transparency and accountability.
Despite these efforts, Infantino's outreach has not yet succeeded in alleviating the concerns of several federations that criticized the investment proposal. Infantino remains committed to his leadership role and is expected to run for re-election in March 2027.
Ceferin concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of governance that serves the broader football community. “The game will remain safe if those who govern it remember whom they govern it for,” he stated, reinforcing the idea that the interests of the sport and its stakeholders must take precedence over individual ambitions.
As the football community navigates these challenges, the call for unity and transparency remains a central theme in the ongoing dialogue about the future of governance in the sport.