AFC backs UEFA and Concacaf against FIFA private investment company plan | OneFootball

The Asian Football Confederation has backed UEFA and Concacaf in opposing FIFA’s plan to create a commercial company open to private investors, with Mexico yet to take a stance. The confederation said in a statement on Friday.

Framed as protecting the World Cup and advanced by Gianni Infantino, the project centres on a proposed vehicle called FIFA Forward Enterprise. Given UEFA and Concacaf’s positions and unprecedented divisions in the sport, FFE was deemed unlikely to win the broad consensus and unity required to proceed.

While short of an outright rejection, reconsideration was urged for any proposal that could undermine the World Cup’s unity and universality. The stance came a day after UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.

Hours after the plan emerged on Wednesday, disappointment at not being consulted was expressed. The need to explore innovative approaches to strengthen global football’s future was acknowledged, but ventures of this scale must rest on good governance, transparency and genuine consultation.

The confederation comprises 47 members.

Source: L'Équipe