FIFA: INFANTINO ‘CHIEF ADVISOR’ QUITS

Gianni Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro has quit in protest over the FIFA president's plans to sell World Cup stakes.

A footballing civil war has unfolded in recent days after details emerged of Infantino's intention to launch the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has publicly backed controversial plans for football's governing body
This could see FIFA's shares in their biggest tournaments, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup, sold off to the highest bidder.

Infantino's plans have been met with huge criticism, with UEFA nations unanimously agreeing to a boycott if these schemes go ahead.

CONCACAF and the AFC have also publicly opposed the plans, although that has not deterred FIFA, who still intend to press on.

As revealed on talkSPORT last night, Infantino has lost support from his inner circle, and it now the first key player has fallen.

Cordeiro is a heavyweight figure within FIFA as a former US Soccer president and a former vice chairman of Goldman Sachs.

He announced his resignation in a scathing statement, where he outlined his opposition to the plans.

Cordeiro said: “As a Senior Advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.

“Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.”

Carlos Cordeiro: Full statement:

Cordeiro said: "As Senior Advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.

"Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game."Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away. That is why this proposal should be rejected.

"FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt. The FIFA President himself has highlighted the $15 billion in revenue generated between 2022 and 2026.

"If Member Associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources. Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football's most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football's future without any compelling justification.

"Such economic success was not accidental. It was delivered by experienced football professionals who shattered FIFA's commercial records. Yet despite those achievements, FIF is now being asked to believe that outside investors are needed to unlock greater value.

"I do not accept that proposition. The people who built this success have already demonstrated that FIFA possesses the expertise to continue growing both the game and its commercial future.

"Most troubling of all is the absence of answers to fundamental questions. Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?

"These questions remain largely unanswered, and yet Member Associations are being asked to make a decision of enormous consequence in barely 50 days or risk being left behind. That is not a responsible way to determine the future of the world's game.

"This proposal has become a defining question for FIFA's future. After careful consideration, I can no longer continue in my role as Senior Advisor to the FIFA President. I have therefore resigned with immediate effect.

"FIFA's responsibility is not to maximise commercial returns at any cost. It is to protect and strengthen football for future generations. When those principles come into conflict, football must come first.

"It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve FIFA for more than five years and to work alongside dedicated, principled people who care deeply about the game. I hope they, too, will speak up, because decisions of this magnitude should be made in the interests of football, not those who stand to profit from it."

So, when he inevitably goes, who takes over?

Get the jokes in first, Warnock would be great, even Russell Slade could do a job. Peter Ridsdale would be selling tickets for the 2058 World Cup by teatime on his first day.

Does it have to be an administrator type? Could it be an ex-footballer?

Platini and Beckenbauer proved to be entirely open to a brown envelope.

Is goody two shoes Gareth Southgate in the frame?

Seb Coe would lap it up and schmooze with the best.

Tony Blair certainly lacks any moral scruples so would fit the role pretty well.

Will some Middle East Sultan just chuck £50 billion at it and install himself?

Netanyahu could go for it but probably wouldn't want the increase in bad publicity.