UEFA chief rounds on Gianni Infantino and urges European clubs to say ‘enough’

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin tore into his FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino in a speech to European clubs on Tuesday.

Speaking in Copenhagen, Ceferin referenced Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ as he implored clubs to say “enough” and pull their support for Infantino in response to the Swiss’ handling of a plan to bring private investors into a new World Cup commercial vehicle.

Infantino appeared to blindside FIFA’s member associations and even its own Council in developing the plan.

“Perhaps the moral of the story is that convenient words cannot change uncomfortable realities,” Ceferin told delegates at the European Football Clubs (EFC) General Assembly.

“World football has heard some very convenient words recently: development, democratisation, consultation. Selling part of football’s future does not become development because you say it’s development.

“Putting a fait accompli in front of national associations does not mean democratisation, even if you call it democratisation, however big the cheque is.

“Secrecy does not become consultation because you call it consultation.

“Let me ask you to imagine a situation. Imagine one of your senior executives secretly negotiating away control of your club’s crown jewels. You didn’t know. Your board didn’t know. Your players didn’t know. Your fans didn’t know.

“By the time you find out, the deal is almost done. What would your board do?”

Ceferin also referenced FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun case, when the United States striker’s one-match ban was suspended following a call from US President Donald Trump to Infantino.

“Imagine that same person creates an award for a politician, and then soon after, that politician takes a phone, calls, and the rules are not the same any more,” he said.

“How many times would this have to happen at your clubs before the board says enough? Well, my friends, I think it’s time to say enough.”

Ceferin and UEFA have previously called on Infantino to stand down. UEFA has warned it will identify a credible candidate to stand against Infantino if he seeks re-election next year, although time is running out with the candidacy deadline set for November 18.

EFC chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi, arguably the European club game’s most powerful figure, also appeared to come out publicly against Infantino in his speech just before Ceferin’s.

Hours after FIFA accused UEFA of “harassment” in response to the European confederation seeking disclosure of documents related to the private investor plan through the US courts, Al Khelaifi said: “It is really sad to see the situation today.

“Instead of improving our game, we are wasting our time dealing with problems and issues. Football works when we listen to each other. When we are transparent between us. But most of all, when we are honest. And whatever our differences – football is bigger and more important than any one of us.”

Al Khelaifi revealed the intention to expand EFC and create World Football Clubs, only adding to its strength as a key player in the global game.

Published: 29/09/2026 by Radio NewsHub