UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has said that the trust crisis affecting world football has not ended despite FIFA abandoning its controversial private investment project.
Ceferin made the comments in a video address to the Portugal Football Summit on Wednesday, shortly after FIFA president Gianni Infantino proposed a possible review of the governing body's decision-making and governance framework.
Ceferin Identifies Three Pillars of Trust
The UEFA president said trust in football depends on three main principles: unity, transparency and governance that serves the wider interests of the game.
Ceferin stressed that these principles had been disregarded in recent times and argued that football's decision-makers must place the interests of the sport above personal ambitions.
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and ensuring that major decisions reflect the interests of the wider football community.
Ceferin Links Crisis to FIFA Investment Plan
Although Ceferin did not directly mention FIFA or Infantino, his comments came amid the fallout from the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which sought to involve private investors in the commercial rights of FIFA competitions.
The proposal included plans to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial entity linked to FIFA's competition rights, including the World Cup, before the project was abandoned in July following strong opposition from several football bodies.
Abandoning the Project Did Not End the Trust Crisis
Ceferin said the cancellation of the project that divided parts of world football did not mean that the wider crisis had been resolved.
The UEFA president said the current challenge is to rebuild trust, arguing that abandoning the proposal ended the project itself but did not erase the disagreements surrounding the way major decisions had been handled.
FIFA Governance Review Under Consideration
Ceferin's comments came after Infantino said he was prepared to consider an independent external review of FIFA's governance framework.
Infantino also proposed consultations with continental confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on decision-making, transparency and accountability.
The governance proposals are expected to be discussed within FIFA as the organization continues to face scrutiny over the handling of major strategic initiatives.
Ceferin: Football Is Not for Sale
The UEFA president reiterated the European governing body's position against treating football's major commercial assets as commodities available for private investment.
Ceferin stressed that football should remain focused on protecting the interests and unity of the game when major strategic decisions are made.
What did Ceferin say about the trust crisis in football?
He said trust in world football has not been restored despite FIFA abandoning its private investment project.
What are Ceferin's three pillars of trust?
He identified unity, transparency and governance that serves the wider interests of football.
What was FIFA's private investment project?
It involved plans for a commercial entity connected to FIFA competition rights, with a 20% stake proposed for private investors before the project was abandoned.
Was FIFA's investment project abandoned?
Yes. FIFA abandoned the project in July 2026 following strong opposition from several football organizations.
Is FIFA considering governance reforms?
Yes. Gianni Infantino proposed considering an independent external review of FIFA's governance framework and decision-making processes.
