CALLING IT QUITS: Gianni Infantino senior adivosr has walked out as FIFA boss experiences heavy backlash to World Cup sale plans

Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Gianni Infantino, has resigned from FIFA in protest against the Swiss figurehead's plan to alter its landscape forever. Infantino's idea to form a $20billion commercial subsidiary called 'FIFA Forward Enterprises' which would then see 20-30 per-cent of it be sold to outside investors, has been met by stern opposition across football.

In response, UEFA promised to boycott all FIFA competitions for as long as the idea is still breathing, while the Asian Football Federation and CONCACAF - the federation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean nations - have also publicly opposed the plan. FIFA released a new statement in the early hours of this morning stating "nobody is trying to sell football" but the level of opposition is only increasing.

So much so that Cordeiro, who has been a key ally to Infantino, has handed in his resignation after becoming enraged by FIFA's plan. He confirmed his exit in a furious statement.

He wrote: "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. Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. 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.

"Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away. That is why this proposal should be rejected. FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

"The organisation sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt. The FIFA President himself has highlighted the $15 billion in revenue generated between 2022 and 2026. If Member Associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources.

"Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football's most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football's future without any compelling justification. Such economic success was not accidental. It was delivered by experienced football professionals who shattered FIFA's commercial records.

"Yet despite those achievements, FIFA is now being asked to believe that outside investors are needed to unlock greater value. I do not accept that proposition. The people who built this success have already demonstrated that FIFA possesses the expertise to continue growing both the game and its commercial future.

"Most troubling of all is the absence of answers to fundamental questions. Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?

"These questions remain largely unanswered, and yet Member Associations are being asked to make a decision of enormous consequence in barely 50 days or risk being left behind. That is not a responsible way to determine the future of the world's game.

"This proposal has become a defining question for FIFA's future. After careful consideration, I can no longer continue in my role as Senior Advisor to the FIFA President. I have therefore resigned with immediate effect. FIFA's responsibility is not to maximise commercial returns at any cost. It is to protect and strengthen football for future generations. When those principles come into conflict, football must come first.

"It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve FIFA for more than five years and to work alongside dedicated, principled people who care deeply about the game. I hope they, too, will speak up, because decisions of this magnitude should be made in the interests of football, not those who stand to profit from it."