UEFA President Criticizes Infantino’s Relationship with Trump, Rules Out FIFA Presidency Bid

Beijing time August 24 news: UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said in an interview with a podcast program that Infantino’s failed attempt to sell World Cup equity was worse than the European Super League plan, and warned the embattled FIFA president that he would face a challenger if he runs for re-election next March.

Speaking on the podcast program “The Rest is Politics: Leading,” Ceferin criticized Infantino’s plan as more destructive than the European Super League project, which was put on hold in 2021 after large-scale protests. “I think this plan is even worse than the European Super League plan,” he said. “In the former case, some very important clubs wanted to create their own league, which was wrong and would destroy football. But in this case, football would literally be ‘sold.’”

“I am absolutely certain that the FFE plan is dead. For me, the most important thing is that we stopped another attempt to sell this sport. It is hard to imagine what kind of person would sell a sport that belongs to everyone.”

Earlier this month, reports said Infantino had held discussions about operating a “Super League” under the FIFA brand. Ceferin believes it would take at least decades for the plan to be revived. “Maybe it will happen in 20 years, nobody can say for sure, but at the moment we are working very well with all parties. I am certain it will not happen in the next 10 years,” he said.

Infantino spent much of the weekend seeking support from CONCACAF members at a meeting in the Dominican Republic, which angered many attendees. Ceferin revealed that the two have not been in contact since the FFE controversy emerged, and he believes the FIFA president’s path to survival is becoming increasingly narrow.

“I have not spoken with him, and since this happened he has not contacted me,” he said. “But there are two possibilities. One possibility is that he realizes he has lost support, not only political support from voters, but also political support from the football community, fans, players, former players and coaches.

“The second possibility is that he takes part in the March election, but in that case, I think he will face a challenger. I do not know who it will be yet.” CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is regarded as a potential rival.

Ceferin ruled out the possibility of running for FIFA president. “If I were not interested in this position, my credibility would be much higher, much, much, much higher,” he said.

Asked whether Infantino had become too close to Donald Trump, Ceferin said: “Honestly, if you think that a politician like that, or any politician, would be your good friend, you are being too naive. Once you become a problem, you are no longer a politician’s friend.”