FIFA Investment Plan Threatens World Cup Integrity – Burnham

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has condemned FIFA’s proposal to sell competition stakes to private investors, calling it “an outrageous suggestion” and declaring that President Gianni Infantino is “the wrong man” to lead the organisation.

Burnham’s remarks, reported by BBC Sport on Friday, come as opposition intensifies. The Asian Football Confederation joined UEFA and CONCACAF in rejecting the plan, warning it “risks undermining the unity and universal character” of the World Cup.

The three confederations represent 136 of FIFA’s 211 member associations—enough to block the proposal if members follow suit. Infantino has said the plan needs only a simple majority (106 votes) to pass.

Pressure mounted further as Infantino’s senior strategy adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned over the proposal, calling it “a bad deal for football” that would “mortgage football’s future.”