Asian Football Confederation welcomes FIFA's policy change

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has expressed its approval of FIFA's decision to retract a controversial proposal to establish a commercial company. The plan, which aimed to sell stakes in FIFA's tournaments to private investors, had drawn widespread criticism.

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The global football's future shall always be shaped through a proper consultation process, joint dialogue and respect for the established leadership structures in our sport.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa stated that the future of global football should be determined through proper consultation, dialogue, and respect for established leadership structures. He welcomed FIFA's shelving of the plan, emphasizing that all significant initiatives affecting international football must be presented and discussed transparently with continental confederations, member associations, and stakeholders.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the withdrawal of the plan, citing that the project had created "divisions of such a character" that it no longer served its original purpose. The proposal had faced strong opposition, notably from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), which had threatened to boycott the World Cup in protest. The AFC had also supported this opposition.

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The project has 'created divisions of such a character' that it no longer serves its original purpose.

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa thanked AFC's member associations for their patience, solidarity, and unity throughout the process. He expressed pride in the collective stance taken by the member associations, which empowered the AFC to seek answers on their behalf regarding a matter crucial to the future governance of international football.

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I am proud that all our member associations stood together and gave the AFC the mandate to seek answers on their behalf in a matter of crucial importance to the future leadership of international football.