🚨 The revolt goes on: a third confederation rejects FIFA's plan!

🚨 The revolt goes on: a third confederation rejects FIFA's plan! Another setback for FIFA and Infantino. Just hours after announcing its intention to " continue the process " of FFE, aimed at selling stakes in the World Cup to private investors, FIFA has suffered another blow. After UEFA and CONCACAF, it is now the AFC, the Asian confederation, that has voiced its opposition to Gianni Infantino and FIFA’s plan. The AFC said it was joining " UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing its serious concerns regarding FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into its flagship competitions and regarding the decision-making process related to FFE". In addition, the Asian confederation blasted the organization’s methods and called on " FIFA to undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement and adequate oversight by FIFA’s statutory bodies." According to the AFC, " such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA’s governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies." The full AFC statement can be found below: "The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has observed with deep concern the developments of recent days regarding the proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and the uncertainty that has emerged within the global football community. The AFC joins UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing its serious concerns regarding FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into its flagship competitions and regarding the decision-making process related to FFE. The fact that the situation has reached a point where the real possibility of a boycott of the FIFA World Cup is being discussed publicly should concern everyone who cares about the future of our sport. Football should never have found itself in such a situation. In this context, and in light of the clear positions expressed by UEFA and CONCACAF, as well as the unprecedented divisions that have emerged in the football world, the AFC believes that the proposed FFE cannot reasonably achieve the broad consensus and unity necessary for its development. The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of world football and draws its strength from the participation of all confederations and the leading football nations. Any proposal liable to compromise the unity and universal nature of the competition must be reconsidered. While the current debate centers on FFE, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) believes that this issue goes far beyond a single proposal. It has in fact highlighted fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making processes, which must now be addressed. Although the AFC takes note of FIFA’s latest clarifications regarding this proposal, the main concerns relating to governance, institutional process and genuine consultation remain unanswered. A proposal of such significance, capable of influencing the commercial, sporting and strategic future of world football, must not be developed through processes that sideline the Confederations, the Member Associations and even FIFA’s governing bodies, including the FIFA Council. The primary goal of world football must be to ensure that decisions of this magnitude are made through transparent processes that enjoy the trust of the football community. This is not the first time that major stakeholders have been confronted with significant initiatives when the direction to be taken already seemed to have been decided. Such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA’s governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies. No subsequent consultation, however well-intentioned, can replace early dialogue with FIFA’s competent bodies and the football family. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) believes that this moment must serve as a catalyst to strengthen institutional reform. While every FIFA Congress must have the opportunity to review and decide on proposals that affect the future of world football, true democracy is not measured solely by the right to vote. It rests on transparent governance, timely consultation, informed deliberation and effective participation throughout the decision-making process. Accordingly, the AFC calls on FIFA to undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement and adequate oversight by FIFA’s statutory bodies. The FIFA World Cup, and football in general, belong to the entire global football family. Their future must always be shaped collectively, through institutions that reflect the views of all confederations and football associations." This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.