Ceferin’s imperial jibe fuels UEFA‑FIFA clash as Infantino faces criticism
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino found themselves on opposite sides of a heated debate on Tuesday, as Ceferin declared “football has no need for emperors” at the European Football Clubs general assembly in Copenhagen. The comment came after Ceferin had spoken to Infantino before the Euro 2024 round‑of‑sixteen match between Switzerland and Italy in Berlin on 29 June 2024.
Ceferin’s warning at the assembly
Speaking to an audience of club executives, Ceferin warned that football’s leaders must not treat the sport as personal property and that commercial ambitions should not dictate its future. “Yes, let’s grow, let’s innovate, let’s make our clubs and competitions even more successful, but let’s never forget that football is bigger than those who govern it,” he said, invoking the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”.
He added, “We are custodians, we are not owners. Nobody has the right to sell its future,” reinforcing his stance that money should help the game grow but never decide its direction. The remarks were delivered amid a broader dispute over FIFA’s proposed commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have managed the World Cup and Club World Cup.
Commercial tussle and legal action
The proposal, revealed in July, prompted UEFA to consider boycotting FIFA competitions before suspending the threat after written assurances that FIFA would not sell stakes in the subsidiary to private investors. UEFA has since taken the challenge further, seeking documents through a U.S. court in Florida and exploring evidence that could support a criminal complaint in Switzerland, where both organisations are headquartered.
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FIFA accused UEFA of running a “misinformation campaign” and of trying to influence next year’s presidential election. Although Infantino was absent from the Copenhagen meeting, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström attended on his behalf.
Paris Saint‑Germain President Nasser al‑Khelaifi also used the occasion to rule himself out as a potential challenger in the upcoming FIFA presidential race, ending speculation about his candidacy.
Ceferin’s speech, rich with references to politics, diplomacy, legislation, war on terror, and the broader EU affairs, was captured in an AP photo and published by Daily Sabah on 30 September 2026, edited by Kelvin Ndunga. The article’s metadata includes terms such as PHOTO, GALLERY, JOBS, ABOUT, PRIVACY, and references to ISTANBUL, Sep, and the editorial corner, underscoring the extensive coverage of this football‑politics intersection.