A senior adviser to Fifa president Gianni Infantino resigned hours after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) opposed the governing body's plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors.
The resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, who served as a senior adviser for global strategy and governance, came after the AFC published a statement expressing its solidarity with European and North, Central America and the Caribbean confederations. The AFC stated that Infantino's plan could not "realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward."
Cordeiro, a former president of US Soccer, had been a Fifa senior adviser for four years and 11 months. In a lengthy statement, he said he "unequivocally" opposed the plans, calling them "a bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future." Cordeiro questioned the need for outside investors, saying Fifa's responsibility was to "protect and strengthen football for future generations."
Fifa's proposal involves creating a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, with external investors able to buy stakes in it. The AFC and Concacaf have both rejected the plan, with Uefa voting to boycott World Cups if it proceeds. Concacaf, which hosted this year's World Cup, released a statement rejecting the proposals made by Infantino.
The AFC accused Fifa of setting the "direction of travel" for a "significant initiative" without consulting stakeholders. It called for an urgent review of Fifa's governance and decision-making framework to ensure proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation and meaningful engagement.
Fifa has maintained that it will continue with the plan, despite the opposition. In a statement, the governing body claimed that the consultation process had been "disrupted by incorrect media reports" and vowed to proceed with the proposal. However, the plan is unlikely to be approved by Fifa members if put to a vote, with 136 nations against it, according to the AFC's statement.
The resignation of Cordeiro is the first senior figure at Fifa to leave over the plans. His statement highlighted the concerns of many in the football community, who fear that the sale of stakes in competitions will compromise the integrity and universal character of the game. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of football is at stake.
Infantino's plan is set to be put to a vote in 50 days, with a straight majority required for approval. The outcome is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the opposition from the AFC, Concacaf, and Uefa has dealt a significant blow to the proposal. The latest development is the AFC's statement, which means Infantino's plans are unlikely to be approved by Fifa members if put to a vote.
Source: Yahoo Sports