The Asian Football Confederation has taken a stand with UEFA and CONCACAF against the FIFA investment plan.
Glamtush reports that the Asian Football Confederation has joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing FIFA’s proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors, dealing a fresh setback to the governing body’s controversial commercial plans.
In a statement released on Friday, the AFC said it “stands in solidarity” with UEFA and CONCACAF, arguing that FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal could not “realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward.”
“The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all confederations and the world’s leading football nations,” the AFC said.
“Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered.”
The AFC’s stance significantly reduces the likelihood that the proposal would be approved if put to a vote.
Infantino has indicated that the plan would require a simple majority to pass, meaning at least 106 of FIFA’s 211 member associations would need to vote in favour. UEFA and Concacaf together account for 90 votes, while the AFC represents 46 member associations.
The Asian governing body also criticised FIFA for failing to properly consult stakeholders before unveiling the proposal.
It said the lack of consultation had “exposed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making processes” and accused the world governing body of sidelining confederations, member associations, and even FIFA’s own governing bodies, including the FIFA Council.
“The AFC calls upon FIFA to undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement, and appropriate oversight by FIFA’s statutory bodies,” the statement added.
The latest opposition comes a day after UEFA voted to boycott future FIFA World Cups if the proposal proceeds, while Concacaf announced that its 41 member associations had also rejected the plan.
Despite the growing resistance, FIFA has insisted it will continue pursuing the proposal. In a statement released on Friday, the organisation said “nobody is selling football” and maintained that creating a commercial subsidiary to manage its flagship competitions would not compromise the sport’s governance or values.
Under the proposal, FIFA would establish a commercial entity to oversee major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, with external investors allowed to acquire stakes in the business.
While FIFA argues the move will strengthen its commercial operations, critics say the plan has been developed without adequate consultation and risks undermining the governance and unity of world football.
South America’s governing body, CONMEBOL, has yet to publicly state its position, while the Confederation of African Football and the Oceania Football Confederation are expected to discuss the proposal in August.
