FIFA-Berater tritt wegen Infantinos Verkaufsplan zurück

Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned Friday in protest against President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to spin off FIFA’s commercial operations, including the World Cup, into a $20 billion subsidiary with private investors. Cordeiro, a former U.S. Soccer Federation president and longtime Goldman Sachs banker, stated in a resignation letter that he could not support the plan, which he called “a bad deal for football.” His departure follows criticism from another senior FIFA official, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour, who accused Infantino of misleading staff about the private equity initiative. Cordeiro, who served as a presidential adviser to Infantino, was known for his frequent meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump during recent years. In his resignation statement, he emphasized his lack of involvement in the proposal and expressed strong opposition. He argued that FIFA already possesses substantial financial resources, citing its $15 billion in revenue over the past four years tied to the recently concluded men’s World Cup. Selling a permanent stake in football’s most valuable asset to generate $4.2 billion, he claimed, would “mortgage football’s future without any compelling justification.” Lamour, a long-time colleague of Infantino at both FIFA and UEFA, echoed these concerns. In a statement to The Associated Press, he described staff as having been “deceived” by Infantino’s lack of transparency regarding the private investor scheme. Lamour, who has held his position since 2024, did not resign but asserted that he felt compelled to speak out on behalf of his colleagues. He warned that the project was driven by “one person” and insisted that it should not proceed. “The time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions,” he wrote. Lamour added that he was prepared to face the consequences of his stance, stating, “If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.” Both officials stressed their commitment to the sport and their belief that major decisions should prioritize the interests of football rather than those who might benefit financially from such a move. Infantino’s proposal involves creating a $20 billion subsidiary that would include FIFA’s commercial businesses, such as the World Cup and Club World Cups for men and women. The plan aims to attract private investors, with a New York-based investment firm led by Joshua Kushner, son of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, being identified as the “anchor investor.” While the specifics of the deal remain unclear, the controversy surrounding the plan has sparked internal dissent within FIFA. Cordeiro highlighted the importance of maintaining control over football’s most iconic assets, noting that he had worked alongside Infantino for five years with “dedicated, principled people who care deeply about the game.” He encouraged others to speak out, emphasizing that decisions of such magnitude should reflect the broader interests of the sport rather than individual gain. Infantino, who has led FIFA for over a decade, faces potential challenges to his re-election in March. FIFA has set a November 18 deadline for anyone wishing to contest his candidacy. As tensions grow within the organization, the fallout from the sell-off plan continues to unfold, with implications for the future direction of global football.