FIFA President Gianni Infantino failed to gain a majority to push through plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The momentum for the deal stalled after the UEFA and the North and Central American Football Confederation, CONCACAF, publicly rejected the investment scheme. Furthermore, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) voiced “serious concerns regarding the Fifa’s proposal” on Friday. These rejections mean that 136 out of 211 member associations are now against the plans put forth by Infantino.
The AFC stated that it believes the FIFA proposal cannot achieve the necessary wide consensus and unity. The federation emphasized that any proposal threatening the universal character and unity of the competition must be re-evaluated.
In related news, Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to the FIFA President, announced his resignation via Sky News. Cordeiro clarified that he was not involved in the investment proposal and stated his opinion that the plan was detrimental to member associations, detrimental to football itself, and harmful to the sport’s long-term future.
Earlier, FIFA had maintained its original position on the plans. It disputed false media reports and asserted that no one was selling football, adding that the organization would “never consider” selling the sport.
