A former Papua New Guinea international says FIFA’s funding approach contributes to the silence of smaller nations during the organisation’s ongoing civil dispute. Alex Davani argues that the system is “flawed” and discourages many countries from openly aligning with either faction, for fear it could jeopardise their financial support.
Both outlets he cites describe how smaller federations face a dilemma: participating publicly in the dispute can carry financial risk, while remaining neutral avoids potential repercussions. The Japan Times frames Davani’s comments around the broader issue of how funding constraints affect smaller countries’ ability and willingness to engage. Channel NewsAsia similarly links the lack of visible support from less powerful nations to concerns about the security of their funding.
While the reporting focuses on Davani’s assessment, it highlights a common theme: limited bargaining power and dependence on FIFA-related money shape how smaller members react during internal conflict. The outlets do not provide new figures or direct evidence of specific sanctions, but they present the idea that the incentive structure influences national federations’ public stance.
