FIFA

[PieEater]

After the Blatter saga FIFA appointed someone to review and improve their governance, he quit after a few months saying it was impossible to make the required changes under the current regime.

In other words FIFA needs to be scrapped and we start again.

If I was UEFA I'd start making plans for a European U20 competition in Poland now, maybe inviting CONCAF to join it.

[Winston Biscuit]

Infantino's Senior Advisor resigns in protest at his plans

[Uke]

Infantino's Senior Advisor resigns in protest at his plans

Pretty damning

As a Senior Advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA
considers selling a stake in the World Cup.

Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.

Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset
and the consequences of giving part of it away. That is why this proposal should be rejected.

FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt. The FIFA President himself has highlighted the $15 billion in revenue generated between 2022 and 2026. If Member Associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources. Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football's most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football's future without any compelling justification.

Such economic success was not accidental. It was delivered by experienced football professionals who shattered FIFA's commercial records. Yet despite those achievements, FIFA is now being asked to believe that outside investors are needed to unlock greater value. I do not accept that proposition. The people who built this success have already demonstrated that FIFA possesses the expertise to continue growing both the game and its commercial future.

Most troubling of all is the absence of answers to fundamental questions. Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?

These questions remain largely unanswered, and yet Member Associations are being asked to make a decision of enormous consequence in barely 50 days or risk being left behind. That is not a responsible way to determine the future of the world's game.

This proposal has become a defining question for FIFA's future. After careful consideration, I can no longer continue in my role as Senior Advisor to the FIFA President. I have therefore resigned with immediate effect.

FIFA's responsibility is not to maximize commercial returns at any cost. It is to protect and strengthen football for future generations. When those principles come into conflict, football must come first.

It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve FIFA for more than five years and to work alongside dedicated, principled people who care deeply about the game. I hope they, too, will speak up, because decisions of this magnitude should be made in the interests of football, not those who stand to profit from it.

[Uke]

AFC (Asia) saying FIFA need to stop their current plan and also undertake 'an urgent review of its governance'

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has observed with deep concern the developments of recent days relating to the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and the uncertainty that has emerged across the global football community.

The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA's flagship competitions and the decision-making process around FFE. The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game. Football should never have been placed in such a position.
Against this backdrop, and in light of the clear positions expressed by UEFA and CONCACAF, as well as the unprecedented divisions that have emerged across the football world, the AFC believes that the proposed FFE cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward. The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world’s leading football nations. Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered.

While the immediate debate centres on FFE, the AFC considers this issue extends far beyond a single proposal. Rather, it has exposed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed. While the AFC notes FIFA’s latest clarification on the proposal, the central concerns surrounding governance, institutional process and meaningful consultation remain unanswered.

A proposal of such significance, with the potential to affect the commercial, sporting and strategic future of world football, must not emerge through processes that leave Confederations, Member Associations (MAs) and even FIFA’s own governing bodies, including the FIFA Council, feeling sidelined. The primary objective for world football must be to ensure that decisions of such magnitude are being developed through processes that are anchored on transparency and command the confidence of the football community.

This is not the first occasion where major stakeholders have been confronted with significant initiatives after the direction of travel appears to have already been determined. Such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA’s governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies. No subsequent consultation process, however well intentioned, can replace early engagement with the appropriate FIFA bodies and the football family.

The AFC believes this moment must become a catalyst for strengthening institutional reform. While every FIFA MA must have the opportunity to consider and determine proposals affecting the future of world football, meaningful democracy is not measured solely by the opportunity to vote. It begins with transparent governance, timely consultation, informed deliberation and genuine participation throughout the decision-making process.

Accordingly, the AFC calls upon 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 appropriate oversight by FIFA’s statutory bodies.

The FIFA World Cup, and the game itself, belong to the entire global football family. Their future must always be shaped collectively, through institutions that reflect the voices of all Confederations and MAs.

[Uke]

Meanwhile...
The CAF Executive Committee is to assess and evaluate the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal...

The Confederation Africaine de Football (“CAF“) received correspondence today from FIFA on the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, in accordance with the consultation process that is currently underway with FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council.

As part of this consultation process, the CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will host a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee next week, to inter-alia, assess and evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.

CAF also encourages its Member Associations to examine the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and participate in the consultation process in accordance with CAF and FIFA’s regulations and established procedures.

CAF is committed to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, FIFA, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide.

[Winston Biscuit]

If any region was going to support it, it would be CAF

[PieEater]

I've quicky read the responses, despite rejecting the idea the reasons aren't as clear as UEFA

UEFA- oxf*rd off, we'll boycott all FIFA events
CONCAF - too little time to consider, but give us some of your reserve cash
AFC - bad process, and we need to check FIFA governance

So the other governing bodies dont seem to be as against the idea as UEFA, just that they weren't consulted enough.

[WestYorksRoyal]

It's mad. Infantino if unpopular in many places, but a week ago it was unthinkable that he would not remain president. Now it's hard to see how he survives.

Hubris calls for nemesis. He thought he was untouchable. He wasn't. Now he'll pay the price.

[Winston Biscuit]

[Sutekh]

So a chance for an entirely new governing body to form or do we get the same old same old, just under new management.

[Sanguine]

So a chance for an entirely new governing body to form or do we get the same old same old, just under new management.

Despite reservations on this policy, there is zero chance that CAF and AFC and CONCACAF choose to stop sucking on the teat.
And fwiw, the English FA endorsed Infantino's Presidency months ago.

[WestYorksRoyal]

So a chance for an entirely new governing body to form or do we get the same old same old, just under new management.

And fwiw, the English FA endorsed Infantino's Presidency months ago.

Well, a lot has happened in those intervening months.

[6ft Kerplunk]

So a chance for an entirely new governing body to form or do we get the same old same old, just under new management.

Yeah, probably a good time to remember that Infantino was supposed to be UEFA's corruption free candidate when he replaced Blatter. Maybe they need to reduce the maximum number of years you can be the president for as they always seem to think they're untouchable and can line their own pockets before the end.

[Winston Biscuit]

[genome]

I would love to know who Ziegler's source is

[Winston Biscuit]

I would love to know who Ziegler's source is

I hope Ziegler is the next recipient of the FIFA Peace Price

[Winston Biscuit]

FIFA'S Chief Operating Officer resigns.

Says FIFA staff have been deceived by Infantino and the project must not go ahead.