Infantino must remember he is European – Ceferin

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin cautions Gianni Infantino to recall his European origins, labeling FIFA’s proposal to divest a portion of the World Cup’s commercial rights as no better than the Super League plan.

At the start of the month, UEFA vetoed Infantino’s initiative to establish a new entity—Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE)—intended to handle the commercial and ticket‑sale responsibilities for all FIFA events, including a 21 % stake slated for sale to a private investment firm.

UEFA spearheaded the opposition, and its member bodies voted to boycott the World Cups until the proposal was withdrawn.

The European governing body subsequently expressed loss of confidence in Infantino, and the national federations of the host nations withdrew their backing for the 56‑year‑old Swiss.

“I consider this initiative far more egregious than the Super League proposal,” Ceferin said on the Rest is Politics podcast, adding a footnote “, external“

“Super‑club ambitions drove calls to create their own league—a move condemned as detrimental to football—and now the situation involves the actual sale of the sport itself.”

“I am certain the proposal is dead. Imagine the caliber of individuals willing to sell the sport that serves the whole population; we will never permit such an act.”

“The original European Super League was conceived as a breakaway competition featuring twenty elite clubs vying against UEFA’s Champions League, only to collapse shortly after its introduction in April 2021 due to intensive controversy.”

Ceferin noted that FIFA was unaware of Infantino’s initiative upon discovering it via media during a family vacancy.

“He has not reached out since the matter made headlines,” Ceferin said.

“They continue on, insisting an air of superiority over Europe: despite abundant funds, they champion supporting the small and disadvantaged.”

“Above all, he must recall his European identity and realize that UEFA has extended unwavering support he has overlooked.”

Gianni Infantino, who spent sixteen years at UEFA and served as its general secretary for nine, has spent weeks traveling worldwide seeking broader public endorsement.

On Saturday he convened with representatives of the Caribbean Football Union in the Dominican Republic, and on Sunday he appeared at the E‑Sports World Cup in Paris, an event attended by President Emmanuel Macron, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

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