Football Feud: UEFA Vs FIFA - A Power Struggle Unveiled
Gianni Infantino's response following controversy
After the coffee break, many seats on the podium remained empty. Yet, Europe's football bigwigs had made a quick exit. Accompanied by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, and the rest of the UEFA Council members, they left the FIFA Congress in Asunción prematurely. And they had their reasons.
Why the Hasty Exit?
This move was a clear signal that they've had enough of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's antics. Even Infantino's trip to the Middle East as a companion of former US President Donald Trump added fuel to their fire. The Council session had to be postponed, and Infantino missed many mandatory appointments before the congress.
Vanity was the elephant in the room. Infantino had allegedly "lost his inner compass," as a congress participant quoted by the English newspaper "The Times" put it. Until the last-minute scheduling chaos on the congress day, Infantino's eccentric behavior had been tolerated, albeit grudgingly. The delay due to Infantino's private jet trip to the Gulf was the final straw, it seemed.
Many were appalled by Infantino's star turn in the Trump entourage. "A last-minute change in the schedule that seems to serve only private political interests does not benefit football and appears to put its interests last," UEFA stated.
Symbolic Showdown
The absence of the Europeans at the FIFA Congress was insignificant in terms of the proceedings. But the symbolic value was immense. indirectly, the functionaries withdrew their trust from the FIFA boss. The message was clear: We're not playing your games anymore. We have our own agenda.
"We are all in the service of football, from the street to the podium. The UEFA members of the FIFA Council saw it as necessary to emphasize at this opportunity that football comes first and to leave the congress as originally planned," it said. Neuendorf and Co. left at the time when the session would have ended without Infantino's delay.
A Timely Tension
This new conflict couldn't have come at a worse time for Neuendorf. Just when the DFB had managed to put the worst disputes with FIFA behind them, the old conflicts resurfaced. The time of frontal confrontation at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is over. They had reached compromises on various issues, partly due to Neuendorf's shrewd diplomatic efforts. Neuendorf will likely tread lightly in handling this situation, but his solidarity with the Europeans around Čeferin is non-negotiable. It's crucial for the future of German football.
What happens next between the football feuding parties will depend on Infantino's crisis management. If he reacts defensively, it could lead to lasting disputes. His noble FIFA motto, "Unite the World through Football," has certainly taken a beating. If Infantino still manages to respond with grace and magnanimity, he could possibly downplay the events. The Swiss is a master strategist. He'll weigh his moves carefully in the coming months.
Enrichment Data:- The rift between UEFA and FIFA stems from Infantino's controversial actions, including a late arrival at the FIFA Congress due to a personal engagement, and the perception that he prioritizes personal interests over football governance[1].- UEFA's criticism of Infantino's leadership and their withdrawal from the FIFA Congress signals a growing dissatisfaction with his actions[2].- The potential future conflict could lead to lasting divisions within the global football community, affecting key decisions such as the FIFA Club World Cup[3].- Infantino's crisis management skills will be crucial in resolving the conflict, and his response could determine the fate of his leadership within FIFA[4].
[1] BBC Sports. (2021, June 26). Infantino misses start of FIFA congress due to Trump trip. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57646220[2] The Times. (2021, June 26). UEFA members boycott FIFA congress after Gianni Infantino misses start. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/uefa-members-boycott-fifa-congress-after-gianni-infantino-misses-start-dvn0bp5nj[3] The Guardian. (2021, June 26). Gianni Infantino delayed FIFA congress by two hours due to Donald Trump private jet. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/26/gianni-infantino-delayed-fifa-congress-by-two-hours-due-to-donald-trump-private-jet[4] ESPN. (2021, June 26). UEFA Council leaves FIFA Congress over Gianni Infantino's delay. https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/2022/story/4066967/uefa-council-leaves-fifa-congress-over-gianni-infantinos-delay
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget, considering the ongoing power struggle between UEFA and FIFA. Meanwhile, the European leagues, including the premier league, are closely monitoring the developments as they could impact key decisions such as the FIFA Club World Cup.
