BREAKING: The Confederation of African Football has released a statement backing FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Sky's @MattBarbet reports.
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I thought FIFA boss Gianni Infantino was a force for good in football.
I was wrong.
The shameful Balogun fiasco was bad enough, but his greedy, tawdry attempt to flog off the World Cup is beyond the pale.
He must go.
世界のサッカー界に大きな衝撃です。
欧州サッカー連盟(UEFA)は加盟する55か国すべてが一致して、FIFAがワールドカップなどの商業権を新会社へ移し、その一部を民間投資家へ売却する計画が撤回されない限り、FIFA主催大会への参加をボイコットする方針を決定しました。
FIFAは、ワールドカップなどの商業事業を担う新会社を約200億ドル規模で設立し、その約20%を外部投資家へ売却する構想を進めています。投資グループの有力候補には、ジョシュア・クシュナー氏率いるThriveが挙げられています。
これに対しUEFAは、
「ワールドカップは投資商品ではない。」
「サッカーは売り物ではない。」
と強く反発。計画が完全に撤回されるまでFIFA大会には参加しない姿勢を示しました。
もし対立が長引けば、男子・女子ワールドカップから欧州の強豪国が姿を消す可能性もあり、世界サッカー界を揺るがす事態へ発展するかもしれません。
EU Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef backs the European Football Association in criticising the plan, which involves Trump’s affinal relative Joshua Kushner, while European countries are reportedly weighing a boycott. https://t.co/2K5vUXCjN4
🚨 The AFC say they "stand in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF" adding FIFA must undertake "an urgent review of its governance". Damning statement that adds even more pressure on Gianni Infantino.
"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."