Asian Football Confederation Joins Opposition to FIFA's Private Investment Plan

Asian football's governing body has joined a growing chorus of opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell stakes in the organization's competitions to private investors. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced its solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in rejecting the proposal.

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stands in solidarity

In a statement released Friday, the AFC declared that Infantino's plan could not "realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward." The confederation emphasized the FIFA World Cup's status as the "pinnacle of global football," deriving its strength from the participation of all confederations and leading football nations. Any proposal that "risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered," the AFC asserted.

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could not 'realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward.'

The AFC's opposition significantly dims the prospects of Infantino's plan gaining approval if it were put to a vote among FIFA members. The organization accused FIFA of setting the direction for major initiatives without adequate stakeholder consultation. This approach, the AFC stated, has exposed "fundamental weaknesses in FIFA's consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed."

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The Fifa World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world's leading football nations. Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered.

Furthermore, the AFC criticized FIFA for leaving confederations, member associations, and even FIFA's own governing bodies, including the FIFA Council, feeling "sidelined." The confederation is now calling for an "urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework." This review, the AFC insists, is necessary to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement, and appropriate oversight by FIFA's statutory bodies.

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exposed fundamental weaknesses in Fifa's consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed.