Turin, Aug. 10 (LaPresse) – “The strength of football has always been its unity. We ask that this unity now be honoured, for leadership that serves football, rather than seeking to dominate it.” This is the position taken by UEFA, Concacaf and AFC, expressed in an open letter signed by the presidents of the European, Asian and Central American football confederations Aleksander Ceferin, Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and Victor Montigliani regarding FIFA’s recent conduct and, in particular, that of its president Gianni Infantino. “Football is the world’s greatest shared passion. It belongs to no individual and no institution; it belongs to the players, the fans, the clubs, the federations and every institution entrusted with safeguarding its future. It is in this spirit that we speak collectively today – UEFA, Concacaf and AFC said – The growth recorded over the last decade has been real, but this progress has never been the work of a single individual. It has been the result of FIFA, the confederations, the affiliated federations and the thousands of people who dedicate their lives to this sport.” The expansion of tournaments, the awarding of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, and the distribution of resources “have been shared, agreed-upon achievements and accomplishments together – the letter continues – It is not about money. The confederations have already called for the responsible distribution of FIFA’s substantial reserves to further strengthen investment in the development of affiliated federations. Nor is it about reconsidering the expansion of competitions, the awarding of the World Cup or any other decision taken collectively. These decisions were taken together and must remain valid. It is about something more fundamental: the integrity of the game and of those who have been elected to lead it.”
Fifa, Uefa-Concacaf-Afc: “Trust betrayed through deception, honour football’s unity”
Turin, Aug. 10 (LaPresse) – “The strength of football has always been its unity. We ask that this unity now be honoured, for leadership that serves football, rather than seeking to dominate it.” This is the position taken by UEFA, Concacaf and AFC, expressed in an open letter signed by the presidents of the European, Asian and Central American football confederations Aleksander Ceferin, Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and Victor Montigliani regarding FIFA’s recent conduct and, in particular, that of its president Gianni Infantino. “Football is the world’s greatest shared passion. It belongs to no individual and no institution; it belongs to the players, the fans, the clubs, the federations and every institution entrusted with safeguarding its future. It is in this spirit that we speak collectively today – UEFA, Concacaf and AFC said – The growth recorded over the last decade has been real, but this progress has never been the work of a single individual. It has been the result of FIFA, the confederations, the affiliated federations and the thousands of people who dedicate their lives to this sport.” The expansion of tournaments, the awarding of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, and the distribution of resources “have been shared, agreed-upon achievements and accomplishments together – the letter continues – It is not about money. The confederations have already called for the responsible distribution of FIFA’s substantial reserves to further strengthen investment in the development of affiliated federations. Nor is it about reconsidering the expansion of competitions, the awarding of the World Cup or any other decision taken collectively. These decisions were taken together and must remain valid. It is about something more fundamental: the integrity of the game and of those who have been elected to lead it.”