Concacaf blasts Gianni Infantino and FIFA over leadership crisis: “Accountability cannot be optional”

Concacaf followed the same stance it had taken in recent days, joining confederations such as UEFA on Saturday in celebrating the cancellation of Gianni Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprise project.

The initiative sought to open the door for investment funds to enter the soccer world, specifically through tournaments organized by FIFA, soccer’s global governing body.

Following the announcement that the project had been abandoned, Concacaf issued a strongly worded statement praising the decision while delivering a sharp warning to Infantino and questioning his leadership at FIFA.

“Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations welcome the withdrawal of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The Confederation also commends its 41 Member Associations and the wider football family for the courage and unity they have shown this week. At a moment that demanded principled leadership, our members stood together in defence of football’s long-term interests and the principles of good governance,” the statement read.

Concacaf questions FIFA transparency and Infantino’s leadership

In its statement, Concacaf also criticized FIFA’s lack of transparency and accused the organization of moving away from its responsibility to prioritize the sport itself.

“A proposal of this magnitude does not reach that stage by accident. It is a symptom of leadership that has stopped putting football first. This recent unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership follows a pattern of missteps and similar behaviour. A comprehensive reckoning with this presidency is imperative,” Concacaf said.

The comments represent one of the strongest public criticisms of Infantino’s presidency from a FIFA member confederation since he took office in 2016.

Concacaf: “Accountability cannot be optional”

Concacaf continued its criticism by arguing that FIFA must be held accountable to its members and the wider soccer community.

“FIFA is not a private enterprise. It is a body held in trust for the game and its members. Those appointed to serve it carry a fiduciary duty, a duty of service over power. Where that duty is not upheld, accountability cannot be optional,” the statement said.

The confederation added that its FIFA Council members would work through the organization’s established structures to ensure that issues surrounding governance, accountability and leadership are addressed.

“As mandated by our Member Associations, Concacaf’s FIFA Council members will engage directly, and through the FIFA Council, to ensure that questions of governance, accountability and leadership are addressed properly through the institutions and procedures established under the FIFA Statutes,” the statement continued.

Concacaf calls for FIFA funds to support soccer development

Concacaf also said it would work within FIFA’s existing framework to explore how a portion of FIFA’s significant financial reserves could be distributed among member associations through FIFA Forward, the organization’s development funding program.

The confederation stressed that any financial decisions should support the growth of the sport without putting its future at risk.

“We are all simply custodians, serving a game that belongs to us all,” Concacaf said.

The statement concluded by highlighting the unity shown by its member associations and insisting that soccer must remain controlled by the sport’s stakeholders rather than any individual.

“The unity demonstrated by our Member Associations this week has reaffirmed that when guided by courage, integrity, and sound governance the game will remain where it belongs: in the hands of football - not a single individual,” Concacaf said.

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