UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has stated that Gianni Infantino's failed plan to privatize FIFA World Cup revenue is "even worse than the Super League plan," and has warned the FIFA president that he will face opposition if he seeks re-election in March.

Ceferin has led UEFA's strong opposition to FIFA's Forward plan. The proposal was shelved in early August following widespread backlash. UEFA is pushing for Infantino's resignation, with support from CONCACAF and AFC. In discussions with CONCACAF about establishing a joint continental competition, UEFA has maintained its threat to boycott FIFA events.

In an interview for the podcast Another Angle: Leadership, Ceferin attacked Infantino's plan, arguing it would cause more damage than the breakaway European Super League, which collapsed in 2021 following massive public protests. "I think this plan is even worse than the Super League," he said. "In the previous case, some extremely important clubs wanted to create their own competition, which was wrong and would destroy football. But in this case, football itself could actually be sold off."

"I am absolutely certain the Forward plan is dead. For me, the most important thing is that we have prevented another attempt to sell off this sport. It's hard to imagine how someone could sell off football, which belongs to everyone."

Earlier this month, reports emerged that Infantino had discussed running a European Super League under FIFA's banner. Ceferin believes that even if the plan were revived, it would take decades. "This could happen in 20 years, who knows? But right now we're working well with everyone. I'm confident it won't happen in the next 10 years," he said.

Infantino spent much of last weekend at a meeting in the Dominican Republic, seeking support from CONCACAF members—a move that angered many attendees. Ceferin revealed that he and Infantino have not communicated since the Forward scandal broke; in his view, the FIFA president's room for maneuver is shrinking.

"I haven't spoken to him, and he hasn't contacted me since this happened," he said. "But he has two options. First, he could realize he has no support. And I'm not talking just about political support from voters, but political support from the football community, fans, current players, former players, and coaches.

"The second option is that he runs in March. But if he does, I think he will face opposition. I don't yet know who that will be." CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is considered a potential challenger to Infantino in the Rabat election.

Ceferin has his own supporters, but he has ruled out running for FIFA president. "My reputation would be much higher if I didn't pursue that position," he said. The Slovenian is expected to run for a fourth term as UEFA president in April, where he faces no opposition.

When asked whether Infantino is too close to Donald Trump, Ceferin replied: "Frankly, if you think a politician like that, or any politician, is your friend, you're naive. When you become a problem, you're no longer a politician's friend." Infantino built a close relationship with Trump ahead of the most recent FIFA World Cup.

Last month, Trump claimed he had called Infantino to request a review of the red card issued to American forward Folau Fainga'a. Fainga'a's ban was subsequently overturned, allowing him to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium. This relationship has drawn scrutiny. "That was truly shocking," Ceferin said. "We have rules, and if we don't even respect our own rules, matches become meaningless. It was shocking, and believe me, most people were shocked. It's just that not everyone dares to speak up."

Meanwhile, European opposition to Infantino has intensified, with six Nordic football associations issuing a statement saying they have "lost confidence in the FIFA president and are very concerned about FIFA governance and high-level decision-making." They are demanding FIFA provide binding assurances that it will never "open its governance systems or events to private owners" and have called for a comprehensive third-party review of the Forward plan.

In early August, the Norwegian Football Federation became the first member association to directly call for Infantino's resignation.

Infantino flew directly from the Dominican Republic to Paris on Sunday to attend the FIFA esports World Cup closing ceremony. Television footage showed him exchanging greetings with French President Emmanuel Macron.

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