The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing FIFA’s proposal to sell a stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup, warning that the plan could have serious consequences for global football.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Kuala Lumpur-based governing body expressed its full support for the concerns raised by the European and North and Central American football confederations over the proposed private investment in FIFA’s flagship tournaments.
“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,” the confederation said.
The AFC also warned that growing tensions surrounding the proposal have escalated to the point where discussions of a potential boycott of the FIFA World Cup have entered public discourse.
“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,” the statement added.
The AFC represents 47 member associations across Asia, including Australia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea.
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