国际足联陷入高层权力争端。三大洲际足联的领导人——欧洲足联主席切费林、亚足联主席萨尔曼·易卜拉欣·哈利法和中北美洲加勒比海足联主席蒙塔尼亚尼——已启动讨论建立替代性竞赛的方案 [1]。这一举动是对国际足联主席因尼亚蒂诺的直接挑战，他因今年7月31日放弃的世界杯股权出售计划面临危机 [1]。三位副主席在联合信函中指控因尼亚蒂诺存在欺骗行为，并要求进行独立调查 [1]。信中表示："足球领导力不是私产……当信任被欺骗摧毁，当一个人将自己置于委托他权力的集体之上，这份义务已被背弃" [1]。
三大洲际足联代表143个国家 [1]，拥有相当可观的投票力量。国际足联现有211个成员协会，每协会拥有一票投票权 [1]。其中欧洲足联掌握55票投票权 [1]，而其他五大洲际足联共控156票投票权 [1]。这一举措可能为56岁的因尼亚蒂诺在3月大选前提供体面下台的机会 [1]。下一场可能遭抵制的国际足联赛事是9月在波兰举行的U20女子世界杯 [1]。
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure following the collapse of a World Cup equity sale plan in July, prompting senior officials to explore alternative competitions.[1] Three continental confederation leaders—representing UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF—have begun discussing the establishment of rival tournaments and have leveled accusations of deception against Infantino, calling for an independent investigation.[1]
The three confederations, whose representatives signed a joint letter, collectively represent 143 nations and control a substantial voting bloc within FIFA's 211-member assembly.[1] UEFA alone commands 55 votes, while the other five confederations hold 156 votes combined, giving the breakaway group significant leverage ahead of FIFA's March elections.[1] In their letter, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, AFC President Salman Ibrahim Khalifa, and CONCACAF President Víctor Montagliani stated: "Leadership in football is not a possession...When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned."[1]
The brewing dispute may force Infantino, 56, from office with dignity before the March vote.[1] The confederations have indicated they may boycott FIFA competitions, with the U-20 Women's World Cup scheduled for September in Poland identified as a potential target for protest.[1]