Victor Montagliani has requested that Gianni Infantino avoid a youth soccer event in the Dominican Republic, citing concerns that his presence would distract from the competition.
Key facts
- •Victor Montagliani serves as both the CONCACAF President and a vice-president on the FIFA Council.
- •The Caribbean Football Union U-14 Series is the event in question.
- •Gianni Infantino is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president, which would extend his tenure until 2031.
- •Dominican officials including Kelvin Cruz and Jose Deschamps welcomed Infantino upon his arrival in Punta Cana.
- •Opposition to Infantino includes UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF.
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to skip a youth soccer tournament in the Dominican Republic this weekend. Montagliani stated that Infantino's presence would overshadow the Caribbean Football Union U-14 Series due to ongoing controversy regarding his leadership.
Governance Crisis and Opposition
Infantino is currently facing pressure to resign from three major confederations: UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF. This opposition follows his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup, a move that has led to calls for his departure and potential threats of a vote of no confidence from regional soccer leaders.
The Request to Reconsider
In a letter sent on Friday, Montagliani argued that media attention surrounding FIFA's governance crisis would detract from the technical focus of the youth event. Despite the request, Infantino was welcomed in Punta Cana by Dominican Republic officials, including Minister of Sports and Recreation Kelvin Cruz, who expressed appreciation for the visit.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Channel NewsAsia.
