CONMEBOL is facing criticism in Brazil for refusing to join the growing campaign against FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Brazilian newspaper O Globo, part of Grupo Globo, has reportedly described the confederation’s position as “hypocrisy” and questioned why it has not aligned itself with UEFA. The dispute, however, concerns CONMEBOL’s continued support for Infantino rather than complete silence over his abandoned commercial proposal.

Criticism moves from the project to the president

O Globo’s reported criticism reflects frustration with CONMEBOL’s reluctance to confront Infantino personally. UEFA and Concacaf have both demanded a fundamental examination of FIFA’s leadership, while the South American confederation has stopped short of questioning whether the president should remain in office. That distinction has become increasingly important since FIFA Forward Enterprise was withdrawn.

CONMEBOL was also criticised for waiting until late on 31 July before making its position public. According to Andrés Burgo in El País, the confederation’s eventual statement represented cautious and implicit support for FIFA rather than a clear rejection comparable to those issued by UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation. The newspaper argued that CONMEBOL was attempting to distance itself from a failing proposal without openly breaking with Infantino.

CONMEBOL did not remain silent

Despite the criticism, it is inaccurate to claim that CONMEBOL made no public statement about FIFA Forward Enterprise. According to CONMEBOL’s official communiqué, the organisation consulted its ten member associations, called a meeting of its council and requested further information from FIFA about the proposal’s structure, governance and possible consequences. It declared: “The development of football requires commercial and financial decisions. However, such decisions must always serve football and never be placed above its essence.”

Read also: Verstappen told Antonelli to wait one second at the Monaco start. Then his own car refused to move

The statement did not endorse the project, even though it avoided the uncompromising language used in Europe. According to Infobae’s report on CONMEBOL’s intervention, FIFA sources believed the South American confederation’s request for clarification helped convince Infantino that the proposal lacked sufficient support. CONMEBOL’s reservations may therefore have contributed to the project’s collapse, despite its refusal to condemn the FIFA president.

Domínguez’s FIFA role shapes the debate

Alejandro Domínguez has led CONMEBOL since 2016 and also serves as a FIFA vice-president and member of the FIFA Council. That dual position does not establish a formal conflict of interest, but it creates an obvious political tension when CONMEBOL is asked to challenge FIFA’s leadership. Brazilian football analyst Andreas Knudsen told TV 2 Sport that openly distancing the confederation from Infantino would be comparable to Domínguez “stabbing his boss in the back.”

CONMEBOL’s loyalty to Infantino also predates the latest controversy. According to a report published by AS, its council unanimously backed Infantino’s leadership and a possible 2027–2031 presidential candidacy in April. The confederation’s refusal to join a campaign seeking his removal is therefore consistent with its established political position.

UEFA exposes the widening divide

CONMEBOL’s carefully worded response stands in sharp contrast to the European position. According to UEFA’s official statement following the withdrawal, FIFA’s current leadership has lost UEFA’s confidence and no option should be excluded from the subsequent review. European associations are also considering withdrawing their previous endorsements of Infantino’s re-election campaign.

Read also: Infantino finds World Cup allies as Qatar and Morocco back his leadership

The dispute has therefore moved beyond the abandoned commercial proposal and into a broader contest over FIFA’s leadership. CONMEBOL questioned FIFA Forward Enterprise and may have helped prevent it from proceeding, but it has neither withdrawn its backing for Infantino nor demanded that he leave office. That combination, distance from the plan but loyalty to the president, is the real reason Brazilian media have turned their criticism towards South American football’s governing body.

Read also: Germany names sprint star for European Championships despite unresolved anti-doping case