FIFA Adviser Quits, Calls World Cup Stake Sale a ‘Bad Deal for Football’

Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro has stepped down in opposition to plans to sell a stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup, dealing a significant blow to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Cordeiro, the former head of the US Soccer Federation, announced his resignation on Friday, saying he could not support the proposal under consideration by football’s world governing body.

“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,” he said.

The former football executive also made it clear that he had no involvement in the proposal.

“Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally.”

Describing the proposed transaction as detrimental to the sport, Cordeiro warned it would negatively affect FIFA’s member associations and the long-term future of football.

“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.”

The resignation came only hours after FIFA said it would move ahead with an “open and democratic” consultation regarding the proposed sale of a stake in the World Cup’s business operations.

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