UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin attacks Gianni Infantino with ‘naked emperor’ warning

Aleksander Ceferin launched a scathing attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino during an appearance at the European Club Association’s general assembly, saying football had reached the point where it must “say enough”.

The UEFA president is seeking to use what the article describes as Infantino’s current weakness to pressure the Swiss official into resigning. The dispute follows Infantino’s proposal to put stakes in the commercial rights to the World Cup up for sale, a plan he later abandoned after coming under severe pressure.

In his speech, Ceferin invoked Hans Christian Andersen’s story The Emperor’s New Clothes to make his point.

“Almost 200 years ago, Hans Christian Andersen wrote the story The Emperor’s New Clothes,” he said. “We all know the story. An emperor is convinced that he is wearing luxurious clothes, which he is told can only be seen by fools or those unworthy of their positions.

“His courtiers pretend to believe all of this until a child says out loud what everyone can see: the emperor is naked.”

Ceferin continued: “Perhaps the lesson of this story is that sweet words cannot change uncomfortable facts. The football world has recently heard some very sweet words.

“‘Development’, ‘democracy’ and ‘consultation’ are words that are actually being used to describe the opposite.”

His comments were reported by Foot Mercato.

“Selling part of football’s future does not become ‘development’ simply because it is called ‘development’,” Ceferin said. “Forcing a fait accompli on national associations is not ‘democracy’, even if it is described that way, regardless of the size of the amount paid.

“And secrecy does not become ‘consultation’ simply because it is called that. How many times will this happen in your clubs before the world says ‘enough’?

“Well, my friends, I believe the time has come to say ‘enough’.”