UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin (left) and Paris Saint-Germain Nasser Al-Khelaifi at the stands, prior to the Champions League opening match between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP-Yonhap)
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin (left) and Paris Saint-Germain Nasser Al-Khelaifi at the stands, prior to the Champions League opening match between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP-Yonhap)

COPENHAGEN (AFP) -- UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin on Tuesday attacked FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying "football has no need for emperors," while powerful Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser al-Khelaifi insisted he has no interest in becoming the next head of global soccer.

"Yes, let's grow, let's innovate, let's make our clubs and competitions even more successful, but let's never forget that football is bigger than those who govern it. We are custodians, we are not owners. Nobody has the right to sell its future," Ceferin, the leader of European soccer's governing body, told the European Football Clubs general assembly in Copenhagen.

UEFA, whose clubs and national teams dominate soccer's global economy, has been outspoken in its opposition to Infantino since it emerged in late July that FIFA was aiming to create a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

It said it would consider boycotting FIFA-organized tournaments before suspending that threat after receiving written assurances in late August that world soccer's governing body would not try to revive plans to sell stakes to private investors.

UEFA has also gone to court in the US state of Florida in an attempt to access documents related to Infantino's failed plan, with the aim of gathering evidence for a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland, where UEFA and FIFA are both based.

FIFA responded by accusing the European body of a "misinformation campaign" and saying UEFA was attempting to "influence" the FIFA presidential election scheduled for next year.

Ceferin used his address to delegates of the powerful EFC organization in the Danish capital to liken Infantino to the emperor in the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Emperor's New Clothes."

"We all know the story. An emperor is persuaded that he is wearing magnificent clothes, clothes which he thought only the foolish or unfit could not see," Ceferin said.

"His court goes along with it until a child says aloud what everyone can see -- the emperor is naked."

"Perhaps the moral of this story is that convenient words cannot change uncomfortable realities."

"My friends, I think it is time to say 'enough,'" he added, with Infantino not in attendance but FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafstrom in the room.

"Money can help the game grow, but it should never decide what we let go, never. Europe should make no apology for saying so."

Numerous leading European national associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino in his bid to be reelected FIFA president next year.

Khelaifi, who is close to Ceferin, has been mentioned as a potential candidate to stand against Infantino in the election, to be held at the FIFA Congress in the Moroccan capital Rabat in March.

The Qatari president of PSG has been chairman of EFC, formerly the European Club Association, since 2021. Through that position, he sits on the UEFA Executive Committee.

The deadline for candidates to submit their nominations is Nov. 18, but the 52-year-old Khelaifi dismissed suggestions he might stand.

"I have zero interest in FIFA, zero ambition to be there," he told reporters in his role with EFC, whose membership comprises more than 900 clubs across the continent.

"I don't think I am the right guy and I don't want to go actually. I am enjoying what I am doing and having fun. We want to continue building positive things together. FIFA is not for me."

Khelaifi earlier used a speech to lament that time was being wasted dealing with the crisis at the top of global soccer.

"Football works when we listen to each other, when we are transparent," he said. "Football is bigger and more important than any one of us."

He also backed Ceferin to stand again for reelection as UEFA president next year, saying, "We need strong leadership like you to protect our sport."

Ceferin, from Slovenia, has been in the position since 2016 and has previously indicated that he would not seek reelection when his current term ends.