FIFA Adviser Resigns Amid Growing Backlash Over World Cup Stake Sale

A senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino resigned on Friday as opposition grew to a proposal to sell part of the World Cup business. European football has threatened a boycott, while regional confederations have joined forces against the plan.

Resignations and opposition

1. Carlos Cordeiro left his position with immediate effect, condemning the proposal as harmful to the sport.
2. Cordeiro, appointed by Infantino in 2021 to contribute to FIFA’s long-term strategy, said the organisation was putting football’s future at risk without a convincing reason. He described the plan as damaging to FIFA’s 211 member associations, the game itself and football’s prospects over the long term.
3. The former banker and former vice-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation said he had played no part in developing the proposal and rejected it completely.
4. FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour also criticised Infantino, saying employees had been misled. Lamour characterised the initiative as the work of a single individual.
5. In a written statement, Lamour said FIFA’s purpose was to serve football rather than the private ambitions of someone who, in his view, wrongly acted as though he personified the organisation instead of working for it.

FIFA presses ahead

FIFA, which is based in Switzerland, said false or inaccurate media coverage during the week had interfered with its intended consultation. Despite the growing resistance, the governing body said it would continue preparing the proposal for consideration by all 211 national football associations.

It said the consultation would go ahead so every member association could cast its vote using verified information.

The proposal would establish a $20-billion company called FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, to operate the World Cup and FIFA’s other competitions. As much as 20% of the new entity could be sold to outside investors.

FIFA said an investment group led by Thrive Eternal, a fund managed by Thrive Capital, was expected to take the initiative. Thrive Capital was founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.