A senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino has resigned after strongly opposing the governing body’s plan to sell a stake in its World Cup business.
Carlos Cordeiro stepped down with immediate effect on Friday. He described the proposal as “a bad deal for football” and warned that it could harm the game’s future.
Cordeiro joined FIFA in 2021 to help shape the organisation’s long term plans. The former United States Soccer Federation vice president said he had no role in preparing the proposal and opposed it completely.
“It is a bad deal for FIFA’s Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long term future of the game,” Cordeiro said.
He also accused FIFA of risking the future of football without good reason.
“Mortgaging football’s future without any compelling justification,” he said.
Despite the growing criticism, FIFA said it will continue consulting its 211 member associations before making any final decision.
The governing body wants to create a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise to manage the World Cup and other major tournaments. Under the proposal, up to 20 percent of the business could be sold to outside investors.
FIFA rejected claims that it is trying to sell football.
“Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain,” the organisation said in a statement.
FIFA added that every member association should have the chance to study the proposal before voting.
“Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future. These are the democratic principles of FIFA,” the statement said.
The proposal has already drawn strong opposition from UEFA, which has accused FIFA of putting the sport’s values at risk. UEFA’s 55 member associations have voted to boycott FIFA competitions if the plan goes ahead.
CONCACAF has also rejected the proposal, while the Asian Football Confederation has backed the concerns raised by both UEFA and CONCACAF.
FIFA said it will not move forward with the plan unless it receives the support of a majority of its member associations.
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso also questioned the proposal and said football should remain in the hands of its supporters.
“I think that it’s the common feeling of football people that we want something that we keep in the hands of everyone, that it’s for all the people. So, hopefully it won’t happen,” Alonso said.
