A senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino resigned on Saturday in protest over a controversial proposal to sell a stake in the organization’s commercial operations to private investors. The move escalates global opposition to the plan, which would create a $20 billion subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), with up to 20% ownership offered to external investors.
Victor Cordeiro, a former U.S. Soccer Federation president and White House Task Force for the World Cup representative, announced his resignation, stating he could not support the proposal. Cordeiro called the plan a "bad deal for football" and argued that FIFA already possesses sufficient financial resources without selling stakes in its marquee competitions. The proposal’s anchor investor is expected to be a New York-based firm led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
FIFA has defended the initiative, asserting that no football is being sold and that the consultation process will proceed. The organization emphasized that the plan aims to distribute commercial benefits more widely among its 211 member associations, including an immediate $20 million payment to each federation if approved, followed by an additional $66 million per association by 2038.
Global Governing Bodies Reject Proposal
The plan has drawn sharp criticism from major football federations. UEFA, representing 55 European nations, voted unanimously on Thursday to boycott all FIFA tournaments if the proposal moves forward. CONCACAF, which governs football in North and Central America, also rejected the plan but did not join the boycott threat. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expressed "deep concern" and aligned with UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the initiative.
FIFA responded by stating that incorrect media reports disrupted initial consultations but that the process would continue. The organization framed the proposal as a means to ensure member associations "have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries."
Key Details of the Proposal
Under the FFE plan, FIFA would spin off its commercial operations—including broadcasting, sponsorship, licensing, and ticketing revenues—into a new subsidiary. Private investors would acquire a minority, non-controlling stake of up to 20%. FIFA requires 106 votes from its 211 member associations to pass the proposal. UEFA and CONCACAF combined represent 96 associations, which appear set to vote against the measure.
Critics, including Cordeiro, argue that the plan lacks transparency and risks undermining football’s governance. UEFA has accused FIFA of acting with "zero transparency" and warned that the proposal "crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross." Supporters, including FIFA, contend that the initiative would democratize commercial benefits and avoid sacrificing football’s integrity.
Next Steps and Potential Outcomes
FIFA has committed to an open consultation process, though opposition from major federations complicates its passage. The organization insists that no football is being sold and that the plan prioritizes member associations’ financial interests. However, the unified stance from UEFA and other bodies suggests the proposal faces significant hurdles, with potential long-term implications for FIFA’s governance and global football’s commercial landscape.