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The world football governing body hit back at critics on Friday, vowing to press ahead with an \u201copen and democratic\u201d consultation with stakeholders on its proposed investment plan. <\/p>\n
It came after European governing body UEFA revealed it will boycott the World Cup if FIFA presses ahead with its contentious plan, leaving world football on the brink of civil war.<\/p>\n
FIFA and president Infantino sparked immediate worldwide backlash after unveiling a scheme to create a semi-private subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise, with the sporting body holding a majority share.<\/p>\n
It would leave its 211 member nations with a 20 per cent share, with the remaining 20-30 per cent stake sold off to private investors.<\/p>\n
The response has been scathing, with UEFA and North and Central American body CONCACAF among the first voice their protest of the plan.<\/p>\n
UEFA then escalated matters even further, with its 55 member nations voting unanimously to boycott all FIFA-run events – including the men\u2019s and women\u2019s World Cups – if it goes ahead.<\/p>\n
Now the AFC has put on a statement, with it looking like a clear majority of FIFA\u2019s members are opposed to Infantino with sources telling The Times<\/a> he is now fighting for his future as president.<\/p>\n Making matters worse, Infantino\u2019s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro has now resigned in protest according to Sky News.<\/p>\n FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) laughs as US President Donald Trump holds a red card. Left is Carlos Cordeiro. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN \/ AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n \u201cFootball has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away. That is why this proposal should be rejected,\u201d Cordeiro said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cFifa already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organisation sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt. The Fifa president himself has highlighted the $15billion in revenue generated between 2022 and 2026. If member associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, Fifa already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources.<\/p>\n \u201cAgainst that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football\u2019s most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football\u2019s future without any compelling justification.<\/p>\n \u201cThis proposal has become a defining question for FIFA\u2019s future. After careful consideration, I can no longer continue in my role as Senior Advisor to the FIFA President. I have therefore resigned with immediate effect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me be clear: I \u2060had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,\u201d Cordeiro added. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is a bad deal for FIFA\u2019s Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a \u200bbad deal for the long-term future of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Europe (55 Fifa members) and Concacaf (35) have already opposed FIFA\u2019s plans, which means just 16 of Asia\u2019s 46 members would need to do the same for a majority of FIFA\u2019s 211 nations to be against Infantino\u2019s proposal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA\u2019s proposal to introduce privateinvestment into FIFA\u2019s flagship competitions,\u201d the Kuala Lumpur-based body said in a statement. <\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered publicdiscourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game,\u201d said the AFC, which represents 47 member nations, including Australia, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n Even UK prime minister Andy Burnham called for Infantino\u2019s resignation, declaring the FIFA president is \u201cthe wrong man to lead the organisation\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was an outrageous suggestion. The idea that it could even be brought forward shows that, in my view, that the FIFA is the wrong man to lead the organisation,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (Photo by Harry Langer\/DeFodi Images\/DeFodi via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Earlier, FIFA responded in a statement by declaring all of its member associations should have a chance to consider the plan.<\/p>\n \u201cNobody is selling football,\u201d FIFA said in the statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not something FIFA would ever entertain.\u201d <\/p>\n FIFA said it had heard the feedback from confederations including UEFA and CONCACAF — the governing body for North and Central America.<\/p>\n \u201cWe respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each (member association) has the ability to express its vote based on facts.\u201d <\/p>\n The statement drew the ire of the football world, with The Athletic reporter James Pearce describing it as \u201cabsolutely shameless\u201d.<\/p>\n FIFA has said the plan could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.<\/p>\n If approved, the project could provide each of FIFA\u2019s 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8.0 million to $20 million.<\/p>\n MORE FIFA NEWS<\/p>\n Inside talks that sunk \u2018deranged\u2019 WC money grab, put \u2018deplorable\u2019 villain on brink of abyss<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018PURE BRIBERY\u2019: Football Australia breaks silence on $40m World Cup shakedown<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018NOT YOURS TO SELL\u2019: WC plunged into turmoil over FIFA \u2018nuclear bomb\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Spurs WIN down under on penalties | 01:30<\/p>\n \u201cNo UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership,\u201d UEFA said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThe World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product … no part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA\u2019s duty as the custodian of world football.\u201d <\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss major developments to the FIFA World Cup investment scandal. Make us a preferred source on Google<\/a> > <\/p>\n Gianni Infantino with US President Donald Trump at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n England\u2019s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the country\u2019s sporting administration, The Football Association, would have the support of the government.<\/p>\n \u201cFootball belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors. Enough is enough. It\u2019s time to take a stand to protect our game,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Asian Football Confederation have released a statement of their own expressing their \u201cconcern and disappointment\u201d in FIFA\u2019s plan – though without outright expressing their opposition or joining UEFA in a boycott.<\/p>\n \u201cThe AFC has always welcomed efforts to explore innovative approaches that can contribute to the continued development, growth and sustainability of football globally,\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, the AFC notes with concern and disappointment that it was not consulted by FIFA at any level prior to the public announcement of this proposal, and nor has it received any detailed governance, financial or legal analysis of the proposal and its potential repercussions, which is totally unacceptable.<\/p>\n \u201cFurthermore, the AFC is deeply concerned that FIFA\u2019s unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of Continental football, which are based on solidarity, cooperation and transparency. Moreover, such an initiative will not succeed without the support of all the Confederations, which is not the case now.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven the significance and potential implications of such an initiative, the AFC believes that matters of this nature should first be thoroughly examined and discussed through the appropriate legal and governance channels, with the full participation of the Confederation, MAs and all relevant stakeholders. This is the minimum that should be expected for a decision impacting all levels of the game in Asia and beyond, and which constitutes a significant departure from established practice.\u201d<\/p>\n The fracture leaves Infantino\u2019s job hanging by a thread, with UEFA reportedly backing a leadership spill.<\/p>\n The Telegraph <\/a>have reported the body supports Qatari sports executive and Paris Saint-Germain owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi as leader.<\/p>\n One unnamed source told the outlet that they would support anyone to succeed Infantino … except for US President Donald Trump and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu.<\/p>\n Paris Saint-Germain owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi (L) and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin attend a UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between PSG and Bayern Munich. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE \/ AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n UEFA have a long and tumultuous relationship with Infantino, who was previously the body\u2019s secretary-general during his time at FIFA\u2019s helm.<\/p>\n In 2021, a plan from the Swiss administrator to hold a World Cup every two years saw the conference threaten to allow member nations to elect to boycott the tournament.<\/p>\n FIFA had hoped to raise up to $4.2 billion from the sale, based on a valuation of $20 billion for the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative.<\/p>\n If approved, the project could provide each of FIFA\u2019s 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8.0 million to $20 million.<\/p>\n A $40 million carrot dangled in front of each association by Infantino to allow the move to go ahead immediately led to allegations of bribery.<\/p>\n But UEFA\u2019s boycott instantly cripples those plans, with a World Cup shorn of European powerhouses, including reigning men\u2019s and women\u2019s champions Spain, 2018 winners France and 2026 semi-finalists England, to have its value plummet.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no way Infantino can sell FFE, and guarantee the level of money promised, without UEFA teams supporting it,\u201d football broadcaster Ben Jacobs wrote on X.<\/p>\n According to reports, a two-hour UEFA delegates meeting featured not a single voice in support of Infantino, though Czech football association president David Trunda had previously defended the plan.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re trying to do a deal that gives us back our money,\u201d a UEFA delegate is reported to have said of the proposal, according to a report by The Telegraph<\/a>.<\/p>\n Infantino described the initiative on Wednesday as a \u201cgolden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally\u201d.<\/p>\n But UEFA, whose president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final to show unhappiness with FIFA, argued: \u201cThis model has no place in world football.<\/p>\n Gianni Infantino, talks to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin during the FIFA 75th Congress in May 2025. (AP Photo\/Fernando Calistro, File)Source: AP<\/p>\n \u201cFootball\u2019s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return.<\/p>\n \u201cNor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain,\u201d Ceferin said.<\/p>\n \u201cEurope\u2019s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.\u201d <\/p>\n The FIFA proposal has drawn criticism from not only UEFA but also several leading European federations and European Union officials, who view it as another step in the commercialisation of sport and have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n