AFC joins UEFA and CONCACAF against FIFA'S proposal

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joins UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing FIFA's proposal to sell a stake in the commercial operations of the World Cup to private investors, although it stopped short of supporting a boycott of FIFA tournaments.

The AFC expressed "deep concern" over the proposed USD20bn FIFA commercial company that would manage the World Cup and other competitions, warning that even discussing the possibility of a World Cup boycott should concern everyone involved in football.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa criticised the way the proposal had been presented, saying it failed to achieve the consensus needed to move forward.

"The manner in which the proposal was presented was completely unacceptable," he said, adding that the controversy should expose weaknesses in FIFA's consultation and decision-making processes.

"This controversy should serve as a catalyst for institutional reform within FIFA," he added.

The AFC's stance comes after UEFA and CONCACAF formally joined a growing boycott movement, with 96 member associations reportedly withdrawing participation in protest over the Football Federation of Ethiopia's continued defiance of FIFA statutes.

According to previous reports, UEFA and CONCACAF have urged FIFA to abandon the disputed plan, while FIFA has convened an emergency Bureau of the Council meeting in Zurich amid mounting pressure ahead of the 15 August deadline.