FIFA Advisor Carlos Cordeiro Steps Down Amid World Cup Proposal Controversy
Carlos Cordeiro, a top advisor to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has resigned from his position in protest of Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Cordeiro's decision comes after a scathing statement he released, in which he made clear his opposition to the idea of selling a stake in the event. "As a Senior Advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup," he said. "Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game."
Cordeiro's statement also questioned the timing and governance of the proposal. "Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?" he asked. He eventually called the proposal a "defining question for FIFA's future" before announcing his resignation.
Cordeiro is not the only significant voice to speak out against the proposal. On Thursday, UEFA announced a boycott of the World Cup and all FIFA-run competitions until the proposal was scrapped and Infantino promised to never go down that road again. Concacaf didn't announce a boycott, but issued a critical response calling out Infantino for not going through the proper channels before trying to push a deal through.
FIFA responded to both UEFA and Concacaf late Thursday, expressing disappointment that the proposal leaked. The organization decided to put the decision on all member associations, saying they should all "have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries." FIFA's statement also declared, "Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain."
Cordeiro has been with FIFA since 2021, and prior to that, he served as U.S. Soccer president between 2018 and 2020. He resigned from that position after a disagreement with the USWNT over equal pay.
In his resignation letter from FIFA, Cordeiro urged others at the organization to speak up in opposition to the proposal. His decision has sparked widespread criticism of Infantino's plan, with many questioning the need for private investment in the World Cup. The controversy has raised questions about the future of FIFA's leadership and the direction of the organization.
FIFA is set to make a revenue around $15 billion for the 2022-26 World Cup cycle, according to The Times. The organization has yet to provide a clear explanation for why it needs private investment, and what benefits investors will gain from the deal. The controversy is set to continue, with many member associations and football fans around the world demanding answers from Infantino and his team.
Source: Yahoo Sports