Fifa president Gianni Infantino's plans to sell stakes in competitions to private investors have sparked a major backlash, with his chief operating officer Kevin Lamour calling the proposals "the project of one person" and a senior adviser resigning in opposition.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has "stood in solidarity" with European and North, Central American and Caribbean confederations in opposing the plans, citing concerns over the potential to undermine the unity and universal character of the Fifa World Cup.
Fifa's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour described the plans as "defying belief and imagination" in a statement, adding that it's becoming increasingly difficult for Fifa's administration to work under these conditions and fulfill its mission.
Fifa says 'nobody selling football' as plan continues, but Lamour's statement suggests otherwise.
The AFC's statement means Infantino's plans are unlikely to be approved by Fifa members if put to a vote, with 136 nations potentially opposing the proposal.
Uefa, Concacaf, and the AFC have a combined 136 votes, while Infantino's proposal would require a simple majority of 106 votes to pass.
Fifa and Infantino want to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cups, and external investors will be able to buy stakes in it.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described Infantino's proposal as an "outrageous suggestion" and said the Swiss is "the wrong man" to lead Fifa.
US President Donald Trump has not spoken to Infantino about the plans, despite the two developing a close relationship since Trump's second term began in 2025.
Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the plans, calling them a "bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future".
Cordeiro said he "unequivocally" opposed the plans, adding that Fifa's responsibility is to protect and strengthen football for future generations, not to maximise commercial returns at any cost.
Fifa's plan to create a commercial subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), would invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments in the new entity.
The proposal aims to increase Fifa's revenue and create new business initiatives, with the World Cup described as the "most widely viewed" sporting event.
However, the plan has been met with opposition from Fifa's staff and members, with Lamour saying it's becoming increasingly difficult for Fifa's administration to work under these conditions and fulfill its mission.
As the backlash against Infantino's plans continues, it remains to be seen whether Fifa's members will vote in favour of the proposal or reject it in favour of a more traditional approach to football governance.
Source: BBC Sports