UEFA’s Ceferin says FIFA trust still broken after Infantino investment row

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Published: 2026-09-23T15:35:41.883Z • Permanent link

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has stated that the trust between FIFA and the governing body of European football remains broken following the investment of FIFA's former Secretary General, Gianni Infantino, in a US-based hedge fund. Infantino, who stepped down as FIFA Secretary General in January 2023, has been embroiled in controversy over his financial dealings, including the purchase of a significant stake in a US-based hedge fund, Starboard Value LP. The investment has raised questions about Infantino's financial interests and potential conflicts of interest. According to sources, Infantino's investment in Starboard Value LP has led to concerns about his ability to remain impartial in FIFA's decision-making processes.

FIFA's governing body, the FIFA Congress, has been criticized for its handling of Infantino's investment, with some members expressing concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest. Infantino has denied any wrongdoing, but the controversy has led to calls for greater transparency and accountability within FIFA. UEFA President Ceferin has also expressed concerns about the impact of Infantino's investment on FIFA's reputation and the integrity of its decision-making processes. The controversy has sparked a wider debate about the role of financial interests in international sports governance and the need for greater transparency and accountability.

The controversy surrounding Infantino's investment has also raised questions about the governance structure of FIFA. Infantino's investment in Starboard Value LP has led to concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest and the need for greater transparency and accountability within the organization. FIFA's governing body, the FIFA Congress, has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with some members expressing concerns about the potential for Infantino to use his position to advance his own financial interests.

The controversy surrounding Infantino's investment has significant implications for the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain. Companies such as IBM, Oracle, and SAP have invested heavily in FIFA's digital infrastructure, with the aim of providing more efficient and transparent governance processes. However, the controversy surrounding Infantino's investment has raised questions about the potential for conflicts of interest and the need for greater transparency and accountability within FIFA. Research communities and markets are closely watching the situation, with many expressing concerns about the potential impact on FIFA's reputation and the integrity of its decision-making processes.

The controversy surrounding Infantino's investment also has implications for the broader sports technology sector. Companies such as SportsCode, Stats Perform, and Opta Sports have invested heavily in providing data analytics and visualization tools to FIFA and its member associations. However, the controversy surrounding Infantino's investment has raised questions about the potential for conflicts of interest and the need for greater transparency and accountability within the organization. As a result, many are calling for greater transparency and accountability within FIFA and its member associations.

The controversy surrounding Infantino's investment is part of a broader pattern of concerns about the role of financial interests in international sports governance. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of sports officials and executives engaging in financial misconduct, including the use of offshore bank accounts and the failure to disclose financial interests. The controversy surrounding Infantino's investment has sparked a wider debate about the need for greater transparency and accountability within sports governance, with many calling for greater regulation and oversight of financial interests in the sector.