Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s main advisor, resigns over the plan to sell the World Cup

The main advisor to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Carlos Cordeiro, has resigned from his position this Friday as a measure of protest against the plan proposed by the Swiss leader to sell participations in the World Cup to private investors, a measure that he considers “a bad deal for football.”

“I cannot sit idly by while FIFA contemplates selling a participation in the Cup.” of the World. Let me be clear: I was not involved in this proposal and I am unequivocally opposed to it. This proposal is a bad deal for football. Football has been fundamental in my life and, after more than 35 years in the banking sector, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving up part of it, “said Cordeiro in a statement.

Last Tuesday, FIFA confirmed that it planned to create FIFA Forward Enterprise. (FFE), a new subsidiary owned and controlled by the world football governing body and which would open the door to private investors. CONCACAF -Confederation of North American, Central American and Caribbean Football- and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) showed their opposition to the project, while UEFA went further and announced, along with its 55 member federations, that they “will not” participate in FIFA competitions if the proposal goes ahead.

In addition, Cordeiro explained that FIFA “already has extraordinary financial resources” and “has no debts.” “The president of FIFA himself has highlighted the $15 billion in revenue generated between 2022 and 2026. If member federations consider that additional investment is needed for the development of the sport, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support with its current resources,” he noted.

“In this context, selling a permanent stake in football’s most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes no sense. It is mortgaging the future of football without no convincing justification,” he warned. “I do not accept that proposal. Those who built this success have already demonstrated that FIFA has the necessary experience to continue promoting both the sport and its commercial future,” he added.

On the other hand, he denounced “the lack of answers to fundamental questions.” “Why this deal? Why now? What oversight is there? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What kind of governance will be put in place? What will investors ultimately gain and at what cost to football? These questions remain unanswered, yet member associations are being asked to make a hugely consequential decision in just 50 days, or risk being left behind. This is not a responsible way to determine the future of world football,” he stressed.

In this sense, he explained that this proposal is “a crucial issue for the future of FIFA.” “After careful reflection, I am no longer able to carry out my role as Senior Advisor to the President of FIFA. I have therefore resigned with immediate effect. FIFA’s responsibility is not to maximize commercial profits at any cost, but to protect and strengthen football for future generations. When these principles come into conflict, football must come first,” he stressed.

“It has been an immense privilege to serve FIFA for more than five years and to work alongside dedicated and principled people who care. deeply for this sport.” I hope they also raise their voices, because decisions of this magnitude must be made in the interest of football, not those who benefit from it,” he concluded.