Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly denounced Gianni Infantino, calling him "the wrong man" to head FIFA, a statement that adds fresh pressure on the world football governing body’s president after a senior adviser stepped down in protest of Infantino’s controversial commercial agenda. Burnham’s criticism focused on FIFA’s proposal to sell ownership stakes in its flagship competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. When the plan first emerged, Burnham condemned the idea outright, and on Friday he reiterated his view, saying, "The fact that such a proposal could even be put forward demonstrates, in my opinion, that he is the wrong man to lead the organisation." His remarks followed a coordinated rebuke from three of FIFA’s continental confederations.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined forces with UEFA and CONCACAF in a joint statement demanding an "urgent review of FIFA’s governance" and urging the governing body to halt the privatisation scheme. The AFC’s intervention marked a notable shift, as the confederation had previously been a staunch supporter of Infantino. Its president, Sheikh Salman, who finished second to Infantino in the 2016 FIFA presidential election, called for transparent decision‑making and meaningful consultation with all member associations.
The internal dissent deepened when Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino and a former banker with a lifelong passion for football, resigned. In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Cordeiro described the plan as "a bad deal for football" and "harmful to the long‑term future of the game." He emphasized that he had no involvement in drafting the proposal and that he opposed it "unequivocally." His resignation sent a clear signal that even those close to the president were uncomfortable with the direction FIFA was taking. Adding to the turmoil, Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, told the Associated Press that staff felt "deceived" by Infantino’s lack of transparency. Lamour argued that employees deserve "better than contempt and intimidation" and described the World Cup commercial project as "the project of one person," urging football leaders to intervene before the situation escalates further.
FIFA attempted to quell the growing backlash with a statement in the early hours of Friday, insisting that "nobody is selling football" and that the organisation remained committed to an open, democratic consultation process. The statement explained that the proposed entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was intended to give each member association the chance to own a share of the commercial benefits derived from football in their own markets, without compromising the sport’s spirit or governance.
FIFA reiterated that the consultation had been disrupted by "incorrect media reports" but pledged to continue the process so that each association could vote based on factual information. Meanwhile, the controversy attracted attention beyond the football world. Former U.S.
President Donald Trump was asked whether he had discussed the plan with Infantino during a cabinet meeting at Camp David. Trump responded, "No, I never spoke to him," distancing himself from the debate. The proposed lead investor in the new commercial vehicle is Thrive Eternal, a firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka.
Thrive Eternal has so far declined to comment on its involvement. UEFA’s 55 member associations announced that they would refuse to participate in any FIFA tournament until the privatisation proposal is withdrawn. Their statement was unequivocal: no UEFA national teams would play in FIFA competitions while the plan remains alive, unless it is abandoned in total and binding guarantees are provided that FIFA will never again entertain private ownership of its competitions. CONCACAF, representing 41 nations from North and Central America and the Caribbean, echoed the sentiment, stating it "rejected the proposal" outright.
Critics argue that commercialising the World Cup could lead to larger, more frequent tournaments, further crowding domestic calendars and undermining the sport’s traditional structure. They fear that profit motives might outweigh sporting considerations, eroding the integrity of the game. Supporters of the plan, however, claim that the financial windfall could benefit national associations, providing much‑needed resources for development and infrastructure.
The AFC’s statement called for a comprehensive overhaul of FIFA’s decision‑making framework, emphasizing that genuine democracy involves not only the right to vote but also transparent governance, timely consultation, and informed deliberation. It urged FIFA to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed with proper oversight by the organisation’s statutory bodies. Inside FIFA, the atmosphere appears increasingly tense.
Sky Sports News analyst Kaveh Solhekol described the situation as a "catastrophic error of judgment" for Infantino, suggesting that the president now faces a realistic prospect of losing his job. Solhekol noted that the question looming over the federation is whether Infantino will be ousted by internal forces or external pressure. He highlighted that many FIFA employees share the frustration of ordinary fans, feeling shocked by the secretive nature of the proposed partial privatisation.
If Infantino refuses to step down, the FIFA Council could be forced to convene an emergency congress. A vote of no confidence could be triggered with the support of at least 20 percent of FIFA’s 211 member associations, potentially leading to his removal. Even if he survives such a challenge, the episode has already ensured that his re‑election campaign next year will be contested by one or more serious rivals. In summary, the combination of political condemnation, resignations of senior advisers, public statements from continental confederations, and internal dissent within FIFA has created a perfect storm around Infantino’s leadership.
The proposed commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, intended to commercialise the World Cup and other competitions, is now under intense scrutiny. Stakeholders from all corners of the football world are demanding greater transparency, democratic participation, and a clear separation between sport and profit. The coming weeks will determine whether Infantino can restore confidence and steer FIFA back onto a path that respects both the commercial realities of modern football and the fundamental values that have made the sport a global cultural cornerstone.