Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, resigns with immediate effect, citing opposition to a FIFA proposal to introduce private investment into its flagship competitions. In a public statement reported by multiple outlets, Cordeiro says he has “no involvement” in the plan and calls it “unequivocally” unacceptable, describing it as a bad deal for FIFA’s member associations and for football’s long-term future.
FIFA’s proposal centers on creating a commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to manage certain commercial rights tied to events including the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA says the initiative would generate additional funding for football development while keeping majority control over governance and sporting matters. Cordeiro argues FIFA already has substantial financial resources, including billions of dollars in reserves and no debt, and questions why outside investors are needed. He also criticizes what he describes as an absence of answers to key issues such as oversight, who benefits, whether a competitive process exists, and what investors would gain.
The resignation follows widening pushback from European and other confederations, including a reported UEFA boycott plan if the proposal proceeds.
