AFC rebukes FIFA over proposed commercial venture and lack of consultation

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has sharply criticised FIFA over its handling of a controversial plan to overhaul how world football’s commercial and investment rights are managed, saying it is “disappointed” at being sidelined from the process.

FIFA has put forward a proposal to create a new entity, “FIFA Forward Enterprise”, which would consolidate the governing body’s commercial operations and events, including major competitions such as the World Cup, under a single structure.

The plan has triggered a wave of global debate, with concerns raised that it could significantly reshape football’s financial landscape and the way revenue from flagship tournaments is controlled and distributed.

In a formal statement released on Wednesday, the AFC said it was unhappy both with the substance of the proposal and with how it had been communicated, stressing that it had not been consulted in advance despite the wide‐ranging implications.

The confederation said it was particularly concerned that the idea was made public before continental bodies had been given the chance to scrutinise and discuss it through FIFA’s established institutional channels.

“We feel disappointed that this proposal was brought into the public domain before the confederations were afforded the opportunity to study and debate it through the appropriate institutional mechanisms,” the AFC said.

Call for transparency and proper governance

The AFC underlined that initiatives with a global impact on the game must be rooted in what it described as sound governance, transparency and meaningful consultation with all affected parties.

It argued that any decision capable of reshaping the commercial and financial future of football should only be taken after extensive prior engagement with the six confederations, national associations and other key stakeholders.

According to the statement, all stakeholders should receive full information and sufficient time to assess the proposal from multiple perspectives, including legal, commercial and strategic dimensions.

The AFC said that such a process was essential to ensure that any eventual decision adequately reflects “the collective interests of global football” and helps strengthen confidence in governance structures within FIFA.

It added that robust consultation is not only a matter of process but a safeguard to ensure that reforms in the commercial sphere serve the long‐term interests of the sport rather than short‐term financial goals.

AFC stresses role as global stakeholder

Positioning itself as one of the six confederations operating under FIFA’s umbrella, the AFC reiterated its commitment to supporting the sustainable growth of the game worldwide.

The Asian body said it remained ready to engage constructively on initiatives that affect football’s commercial framework, provided they are developed in line with recognised standards of governance and with full involvement of the confederations and member associations.

While the AFC did not outline alternative models or specify changes it would seek to the “FIFA Forward Enterprise” concept, its statement made clear that process and transparency are likely to be key points of contention as discussions continue.

FIFA has not yet detailed the full structure, ownership model or operational scope of the proposed company, nor how it might alter existing arrangements for marketing, broadcasting and investment around major tournaments.

With debate intensifying over who should control and benefit from football’s most valuable properties, the AFC’s intervention underscores growing pressure on FIFA to reassure confederations and associations that their interests will be protected in any future commercial restructuring.