Dutch federation calls for global summit to discuss FIFA future, withdraws support for Infantino

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Dutch football federation is calling for an international summit to discuss the future of FIFA after becoming the latest nation to call for new leadership at the global soccer governing body on Sunday.

In a statement, the federation said it “no longer has confidence” in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and offered to host an international summit to discuss ideas to reshape the organisation.

The Dutch federation said there is a need for a “new FIFA,” not just a new president.

“The 2027 presidential election should not only be about who leads FIFA,” it said. "First, we need to determine what kind of FIFA we want. Then we can identify the leadership needed to deliver that change.

“For us, this discussion must be about more than Gianni Infantino. The key question is: what kind of FIFA does football need?” the federation said. “Our ambition is clear: a strong and credible FIFA that belongs to football, serves its members and develops the game around the world.”

It said “this should not be a European plan for the rest of the world. We want to develop this new direction together with FIFA’s 211 Member Associations and the confederations from all parts of the world.”

The federation said it shared “this position and our vision for the future of FIFA” in a letter to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

UEFA, the European soccer confederation, is spearheading the backlash against Infantino over his failed World Cup sell-off plan that created a deep rift in the sport.

Many of its other member federations have withdrawn their support for the FIFA leader, who is up for re-election in March 2027. Some have called for his resignation.

Infantino has not given any indication he plans to step down.

“We believe FIFA needs new leadership from 2027 onwards. But a new president alone is not enough. The way FIFA is governed must change as well,” it said.

“We see too much power concentrated around the FIFA president and insufficient separation between the president and the FIFA administration,” the federation said. “The process surrounding the now-withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal was a turning point for us. Withdrawing the proposal was necessary, but it does not restore the trust that has been lost.”

The Dutch federation said it sees three priorities: improved governance with a better balance of power, putting soccer’s social power at the heart of FIFA and investing more in soccer worldwide.

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FILE - UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, left, speaks with former Barcelona player Carles Puyol, who prepares the draw, during the UEFA Champions League draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, Aug. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Claude Paris, File)

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea made official the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez on Sunday.

The English club said the 33-year-old goalkeeper, who won the World Cup in 2022, has signed a three-year deal, joining from Aston Villa.

“Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I’m just over the moon. I can’t wait to get started,” Martínez said. “I want to be successful here. I’m someone who wants to win at everything I do and I want to bring that here to this football club because it’s a football club that wins titles, so I think it’s a good match.”

Martínez immediately took over the starting goalkeeping spot in Xabi Alonso's team, usurping previous No. 1 Robert Sánchez for Sunday's match against Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

Sánchez made mistakes leading to goals in Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday and was widely regarded as the team's big weakness in its bid to become a title contender this season.

Villa earlier this month signed U.S.-born Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, opening the door for Martínez's departure.

Martínez has been Argentina’s regular starter since 2021, earning 67 caps. He also helped his country win the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, and reach this year's World Cup final.

Martinez won the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best-performing goalkeeper, at the 2023 and 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremonies.

He made 256 appearances for Villa across six seasons and won the Europa League in May.

"I’m all passion and I play with my heart. I will give 100% every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates and the supporters proud," he said.

Martínez started his career in the youth squads of Argentine club Independiente and joined Arsenal in 2010, at age 17. After several loan stints, he became a regular for Arsenal in the 2019-20 season, starting the last 11 matches and winning the FA Cup.

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FILE - Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez reacts after Spain had a goal disallowed during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)