Senior Fifa adviser resigns over proposed World Cup stake sale
Developed over time first seen 3 months ago
Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Gianni Infantino, has resigned immediately in protest at Fifa’s proposal to sell a permanent stake in the World Cup. His departure deepens pressure on Infantino, whose plans face growing international opposition and renewed calls for an urgent review of Fifa’s governance.
Cordeiro said Fifa’s debt-free reserves mean it can provide extra support without “mortgaging football’s future”, and questioned the proposal’s transparency, oversight and beneficiaries. Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation oppose the plan, representing 143 of Fifa’s 211 member associations; their combined stance could prevent Infantino securing sufficient support.
- Senior adviser resigns over World Cup stake-sale proposal
- Opposition now represents 143 of Fifa’s 211 members
- Infantino faces mounting governance and leadership pressure
New here? Start with this
Fifa is football’s world governing body. It organises the men’s and women’s World Cups and distributes much of the money those tournaments earn to its 211 national member associations through grants and development programmes.
Gianni Infantino has been Fifa president since 2016. Carlos Cordeiro is a former president of the US football federation and has advised Fifa on commercial matters; his resignation highlights disagreement over how the organisation should manage the income and rights linked to its biggest tournament.
Uefa represents European football associations, Concacaf covers North and Central America and the Caribbean, and the Asian Football Confederation represents much of Asia. Their position matters because Fifa decisions depend heavily on support from national associations, and collective opposition from major regional bodies can make significant plans difficult to approve.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of selling a stake could argue that a carefully structured private partnership would unlock capital, expertise and commercial discipline to expand the World Cup’s global reach without forcing member associations to bear additional risk. They may say that seeking outside investment is prudent long-term planning rather than evidence of financial need, particularly if proceeds can strengthen development programmes, women’s football and facilities in less wealthy football nations. Consultation with confederations, on this view, is the appropriate way to refine safeguards and build support for a deal that serves football over decades.
The case against
Opponents could argue that the World Cup is football’s most valuable shared asset and that Fifa should not dilute control of it when it has ample debt-free reserves. They may fear that private investors would seek returns that distort sporting priorities, increase commercial pressure and reduce the future income available to member associations. Given the scale and permanence of the decision, they would contend that transparent terms, independent scrutiny and broad agreement across the confederations are essential before proceeding.
More coverage
Business Football Government Politics Sport
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Guardian as “Infantino increasingly embattled after senior adviser resigns over World Cup sell-off plans”.