Infantino’s adviser resigns in protest over his plan

The crisis surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial commercial plan is intensifying. Not only football associations in Europe, North and Central America, or Asia have resigned against the proposal to involve private investors in the commercial activities of the World Cup, but also one of Infantino's senior advisers.

The biggest blow came with the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro. Cordeiro, who served as a senior adviser to the FIFA president, made it clear in a statement that he had no involvement in the plan to sell the World Cup partnership and that he was completely opposed to it.

Cordeiro, a former president of the United States Soccer Federation, said, "As a senior adviser to the FIFA president, a former banker and a lifelong football fan, I cannot remain silent during the plan to sell the World Cup partnership." I want to be clear that I had no role in the creation of this proposal and I am categorically opposed to it.’

He added, ‘This is a bad deal for FIFA’s member countries, a bad deal for football and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.’

Hours before Cordeiro’s resignation, the Asian Football Confederation joined UEFA and CONCACAF in strongly criticising Infantino’s plan. The organisation said the situation had reached a point where the possibility of boycotting the World Cup was now being openly discussed. This is a matter of concern for all those who care about the future of football.

On the other hand, FIFA is not backing down from its position despite all the criticism. The organisation said it would continue an open and democratic consultation process to seek the views of its member countries. A FIFA statement said, ‘Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA ever wants to do.’

FIFA claimed that the whole issue had been confused due to misinformation in the media. The organization also said that it has heard the concerns of UEFA and CONCACAF and that the consultation process will continue to ensure that each member country can make an informed decision.

The plan announced by FIFA on Tuesday will create a new commercial subsidiary called ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’. This entity will manage the commercial activities of FIFA’s major competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. Its potential value is estimated at US$20 billion and a minority stake has been proposed to be sold to private investors. It is estimated that FIFA will be able to raise about US$4.2 billion through this.

If the plan is approved, each of FIFA’s 211 member countries will receive a one-time US$20 million, or about Tk 245 million in Bangladeshi currency, at the beginning of 2027. In addition, there is a proposal to increase the development fund for the 2027-2030 period from US$8 million to US$20 million.

However, even with this financial benefit, opposition cannot be stopped. UEFA has already announced that if this proposal is upheld, its member countries will not participate in any FIFA competition.

UEFA said, “The World Cup is not an investment product. It is one of the greatest traditions of football. No part of it should be handed over to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.”

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, who also boycotted the World Cup final as a symbol of dissatisfaction, said, “The future of football cannot be handed over to people whose first responsibility is to increase financial profits. The interests of national football associations, leagues, clubs, players and fans can never be subordinated to the profits of investors.”

UEFA’s position has also been supported by the European Union. Even Chelsea’s Spanish coach Xabi Alonso said, “We have seen a great World Cup. Some things should remain as they are. So it is important to protect the interests of football.”

On the other hand, the 41 member nations of the North and Central American football body CONCACAF also unanimously rejected the plan.