CONMEBOL Criticizes FIFA for Acting Without Wider Consultation

CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, recently welcomed FIFA's decision to scrap its private investment proposal. At the same time, the body said it remained concerned about FIFA's strategy under Gianni Infantino, who has taken several unilateral actions during the last few years.

CONMEBOL is generally regarded as a close supporter of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, its comments reflect the concerns raised by other football confederations, which said they were not informed in advance about the investment proposal that FIFA withdrew on Saturday.

"In light of the events affecting the football family, the CONMEBOL Council, meeting today, welcomes FIFA's decision to withdraw the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal," said the confederation's statement.

"The Council also unanimously expresses its concern regarding the repeated unilateral actions taken without resorting to dialogue or to the institutional mechanisms established to address situations of this nature." added the statement.

CONMEBOL, which backed Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president earlier this year, said the controversy had taken attention away from what it described as an "extraordinary" World Cup.

"Within a matter of days, football has gone from being at the center of global attention due to the staging of an extraordinary sporting event to becoming the focus of public debate on matters related to its governance," said the confederation's statement.

However, CONMEBOL made it clear that it would not back any effort to remove Infantino before the FIFA presidential election in Rabat next March.

Infantino's critics could still try to force him out by securing enough support for a vote of no confidence, which would require FIFA to hold an extraordinary Congress.

"On 18 November, 2026, the deadline for submitting candidacies for the FIFA presidency will expire.” said the confederation's statement.

"Thereafter, the FIFA Congress will elect, through the votes of its 211 member associations, the person who will lead the organization during the next term, including overseeing the organization of the FIFA Centennial World Cup 2030.” added the confederation's statement.

"Accordingly, CONMEBOL will not support any action or procedure that disregards or departs from those institutional mechanisms." concluded the statement.