Infantino's adviser resigns in protest over World Cup 'sale' plan

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned on Friday in protest against the plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of FIFA's World Cup to private investors. He described the proposal as a "bad deal" for football .

On Tuesday, FIFA unveiled a plan to create a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), valued at $20 billion, which would manage the commercial activities of FIFA's major tournaments, including the World Cup. Up to 20 percent of its ownership would be sold to outside investors .

The plan sparked strong reactions immediately after its announcement. UEFA was the first to oppose it, with its 55 member associations unanimously supporting a boycott of all FIFA competitions . CONCACAF's 41 member associations and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also publicly rejected the proposal .

Amid mounting pressure, Cordeiro resigned. The former banker, who joined as an adviser to Infantino in 2021, said in a statement, "As a senior adviser to the FIFA President, a former banker and a lifelong football fan, I cannot remain silent at a time when there is a plan to sell a stake in the World Cup."

He made it clear that he had no role in creating the plan and that he "unequivocally opposes" it. "It is a bad deal for FIFA's member associations, bad for football, and harmful for the long-term future of the sport," he said.

Citing his 35 years of experience in banking, Cordeiro said he fully understands the consequences of selling a stake in assets like the World Cup and that, in his view, the proposal must be rejected .