The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially expressed its opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors. This move aligns the AFC with UEFA and CONCACAF, who have also voiced concerns over the proposal.
In a statement released on Friday, the AFC emphasized the importance of unity among all football confederations and leading nations, describing the FIFA World Cup as the pinnacle of global football. The AFC warned that any initiative threatening the universal nature and cohesion of the tournament should be reconsidered.
The AFC highlighted that FIFA’s approach lacked adequate consultation with member associations, exposing significant weaknesses in the organization's decision-making and governance processes. The confederation called for an urgent review to ensure future proposals of global impact involve meaningful engagement and proper oversight by FIFA’s statutory bodies.
With UEFA and CONCACAF combined holding 90 votes and AFC with 46 votes among FIFA's 211 members, the proposal is unlikely to secure the majority needed for approval. Infantino had stated that a simple majority of 106 votes would be required for the plan to pass.
Key points from AFC’s statement:
- Stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the plan.
- Stresses the FIFA World Cup’s strength comes from global unity and participation.
- Criticizes FIFA for setting major initiatives without stakeholder consultation.
- Calls for urgent governance reforms within FIFA to improve consultation and decision-making.
The AFC’s opposition signals significant resistance within FIFA’s membership, casting doubt on the likelihood of the proposed investment plan moving forward.
