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Asian football body 'disappointed' by FIFA investment plans
🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Asian football body 'disappointed' by FIFA investment plans

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expressed disappointment with FIFA's plans to sell stakes in its major competitions, citing a lack of consultation.
  • FIFA confirmed proposals to establish a commercial subsidiary to manage events, reportedly with ties to U.S. President Donald Trump's family.
  • The AFC emphasized the need for good governance, transparency, and meaningful consultation on such significant initiatives.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) voiced strong disappointment Wednesday after FIFA confirmed plans to sell stakes in its major competitions, stating the confederation was not consulted before the decision was made public.

The AFC was not consulted on the proposal and is disappointed that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it through the appropriate and established governance channels.

— Asian Football ConfederationThe AFC explained its reaction to FIFA's announcement regarding commercial plans.

FIFA announced proposals to create a commercial subsidiary, reportedly linked to the extended family of U.S. President Donald Trump, to manage its events. The AFC, representing 47 member nations, stated that a matter of such significance should have been discussed through established governance channels before reaching the public domain.

While the AFC recognises the importance of exploring innovative approaches that can strengthen the future of global football, initiatives of this scale and consequence must be founded upon the principles of good governance, transparency and meaningful consultation.

— Asian Football ConfederationThe AFC outlined its expectations for how significant football initiatives should be handled.

"While the AFC recognises the importance of exploring innovative approaches that can strengthen the future of global football, initiatives of this scale and consequence must be founded upon the principles of good governance, transparency and meaningful consultation," the Kuala Lumpur-based body said in a statement.

The World Cup was not an 'asset to trade'.

— UEFAUEFA's reaction to FIFA's plans to sell stakes in its competitions.

The announcement drew immediate criticism from UEFA, Europe's football governing body, which declared the World Cup "not an asset to trade." England's Football Association also raised significant concerns. FIFA, however, stated that its subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would seek minority, non-controlling investors while FIFA would retain sole control and exclusive authority over all football governance and sporting decisions.

FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would seek 'long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests in FFE'.

— FIFAFIFA's description of the proposed commercial subsidiary and its investment strategy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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