FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been delivered a stunning warning over his future, with UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin declaring he must recognise he has lost the support of the football world or prepare to face a leadership challenge.
Infantino has come under increasing pressure over his controversial and now-abandoned proposal to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
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The saga has created an extraordinary divide within world football, with UEFA threatening a boycott of FIFA competitions and several continental and national federations withdrawing their support for the 56-year-old.
Ceferin has been among Infantino’s most vocal critics but ruled himself out of challenging for the FIFA presidency, insisting he has no interest in replacing him.
“I’m not interested because of two reasons,” Ceferin told The Rest is Politics podcast.
“One reason is that I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point… it’s time to also enjoy life a bit.
“And the second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I’m not interested in the position.”
But while Ceferin won’t be the man to challenge Infantino, the UEFA president believes someone else could be if the embattled FIFA boss attempts to seek re-election at the next FIFA Congress in Morocco in March.
“There are two options,” Ceferin said.
“One option is that he realises that he doesn’t have the support, and that’s not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of the football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches.
“And the second option, that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case I think he will have a candidate against him. I don’t know yet who.”
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CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC boss Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are considered among the potential challengers should Infantino seek another term.
The extraordinary fallout represents a significant shift for Infantino, who had the broad backing of European nations when the former UEFA secretary general succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
Ceferin revealed he has not spoken to Infantino since the controversy erupted, further highlighting the growing divide between two of world football’s most powerful figures.
Infantino, however, has publicly pointed to the support he continues to receive.
The FIFA president was in the Dominican Republic over the weekend for meetings with local and regional football officials, despite reports Montagliani had asked him to stay away from a youth tournament in the country.
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In video remarks released by FIFA on Sunday, Infantino appeared to address the controversy surrounding his leadership.
“It’s important to engage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions,” Infantino said.
“A lot has been happening the last few weeks and it’s important that you hear, you listen, and you’re able to also express what your feelings are.
“So I think overall positive, very, very happy with all the support I get here.”
But with the next FIFA Congress looming in March, Ceferin’s warning has placed further pressure on Infantino as the battle over the future leadership of world football intensifies.