The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the latest football body to reject a proposed move by world football governing body (FIFA) to sell a stake in its product, the FIFA World Cup.
The move is being fronted by FIFA President Gianni Infantino who communicated earlier this week that an investor group is in line to buy the stake in a move with the potential to generate over $40 billion in revenue for the body and its members.
However, the move has been met with a lot of backlash as critics believe that football is being sold to the highest bidder.
Europe’s football governing body, UEFA and Central America, North America and Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF) have unanimously rejected the move with UEFA threatening to boycott the FIFA World Cup if the move goes through.
On Friday, July 31, the AFC added to the strong rejection of the move by issuing a release with a section stating,
“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. Football should never have been placed in such a position.”
“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.
