- No decision taken on new structure.
- Independent probe demanded by confederations.
- Pakistan ASEAN Cup status may be affected.
KARACHI: The football crisis surrounding Fifa President Gianni Infantino has taken a potentially dramatic turn. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Uefa and Concacaf are holding preliminary discussions about organising competitions among themselves if the dispute with Fifa continues, sources familiar with the matter told Geo News.
The idea aims to ensure players continue to have meaningful opportunities to compete. It also seeks to prevent the ongoing crisis between the three confederations and Fifa leadership from adversely affecting players.
The discussions remain at a preliminary stage. No decision has been taken to establish a separate competition structure. Any such move would also have to remain within Fifa’s governance framework and statutes, according to sources.
The development comes hours after the presidents and general secretaries of AFC, Uefa and Concacaf issued an unusually strongly worded open letter. They accused Fifa leadership of a “fundamental breach of trust” over a proposal to sell an interest in the Fifa World Cup.
The three confederations demanded a fully independent third-party investigation. They also said Fifa’s administration should play no role in reviewing the matter.
Alternative competitions under discussion
Sources said the three confederations have started preliminary discussions on the possibility of organising competitions between their members. The aim is to provide an alternative pathway for international football should the current dispute escalate.
The immediate objective, according to the sources, is not to replace the Fifa World Cup or other established competitions. Instead, the aim is to ensure that players and national teams continue to have meaningful international fixtures.
The discussions highlight the seriousness of the current confrontation. AFC, Uefa and Concacaf collectively represent a substantial portion of the world’s leading football nations and competitions.
The possibility of alternative competitions follows earlier threats of boycotts and growing opposition to Fifa’s proposed commercial restructuring.
Dispute over Fifa Forward Enterprise
The dispute centres on Fifa Forward Enterprise, a proposed commercial structure that would have involved the commercial rights of Fifa competitions, including the World Cup.
The proposal triggered strong opposition from several confederations over its governance, consultation process and the prospect of private investors acquiring an interest in World Cup-related commercial rights.
Fifa subsequently abandoned the proposal. However, the joint letter from AFC, Uefa and Concacaf makes clear that the three confederations believe the governance issues surrounding the episode remain unresolved.
In their letter, the confederations said Fifa’s explanation of the episode as a communication failure did not address what they considered a failure of judgment.
They also alleged that the proposal had moved forward on a compressed timeline and without meaningful consultation.
Pressure on Infantino
The three confederations have stopped short, in their public letter, of explicitly calling for Infantino’s resignation.
However, sources familiar with their position said the football family is giving the Fifa president an opportunity to leave office with dignity. They said he should not seek re-election in March.
The sources also stressed that all options remain on the table, strictly in accordance with Fifa’s governance framework and statutes.
Infantino has faced increasing pressure since the collapse of the World Cup investment proposal. The dispute has exposed growing divisions within Fifa’s leadership and among its regional confederations.
Possible impact on Pakistan
The development could also affect Pakistan’s participation in next month’s Fifa ASEAN Cup.
However, there is no immediate indication that Pakistan or other AFC member associations are being asked to withdraw from Fifa competitions. The discussions about alternative competitions remain preliminary.
If these preliminary discussions about alternative competitions develop into a formal proposal, it could represent one of the most significant challenges to Fifa’s central role in international football in decades.
