CONCACAF Urges FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Skip Youth Tournament Amid Mounting Governance Crisis

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has requested FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to stay away from a youth football tournament in the Dominican Republic this weekend, warning that his presence would overshadow the event amid escalating opposition to his leadership.

Gianni Infantino is currently facing pressure from three confederations demanding his resignation—including Europe’s UEFA, Asia’s AFC, and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean—following his controversial and aborted proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup.

With potential threats of a vote of no confidence from world football’s regional powerhouses, Gianni Infantino was visiting the Dominican Republic this weekend and had planned to attend a competition organized by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

In an official letter sent to Gianni Infantino on Friday, Victor Montagliani pointed to the ongoing governance crisis surrounding FIFA as the primary reason for the FIFA president to reconsider his attendance at the CFU U-14 Series event.

“As you may be aware, your proposed attendance has garnered significant media attention,” Victor Montagliani, who also serves as a vice president on the FIFA Council, wrote. “…the media will focus on this situation, which will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition.”

“As such, I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity,” he added.

Al Jazeera Sport has reached out to FIFA for comment regarding the matter.

Despite the tensions, Gianni Infantino was received at Punta Cana by the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Sports and Recreation Kelvin Cruz.

“We deeply appreciate your visit to the Dominican Republic, without doubt that your presence in our country puts us on the international football radar and opens us great prospects for growth and development of Dominican football,” Kelvin Cruz stated.

Gianni Infantino was additionally welcomed by Dominican Football Federation President Jose Deschamps, National Commissioner of Football Benny Metz, and Olympic Committee President Garibaldy Bautista Lorenzo.

As Gianni Infantino seeks a fourth term extending until 2031, several national associations and key officials have chosen to withdraw their support for the Swiss administrator.