MIAMI (DA) — Curaçao is among CONCACAF’s 41 member associations that have rejected FIFA’s proposal to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise and bring private investors into its commercial and tournament operations.
CONCACAF announced the decision after meeting with the presidents of all 41 member associations, along with the confederation’s president, council members and representatives on the FIFA Council.
The statement was issued on behalf of the entire membership, which includes the Curaçao Football Federation (FFK). Deporte Awe contacted the FFK for its position but has not received a response.
CONCACAF said its members raised deep concerns about the lack of due process, a short deadline and the absence of review or approval by the appropriate FIFA governing bodies.
The confederation also questioned the need for private investment to support FIFA Forward development programs following what FIFA called the most profitable World Cup in history.
CONCACAF’s members instructed their representatives on the FIFA Council to explore whether FIFA’s existing reserves could instead be used to increase development funding throughout the region.
They also directed those representatives to demand that the proposal follow the governance process established under FIFA’s statutes.
The FIFA plan would create a new subsidiary combining the organization’s commercial rights and tournament operations. Private investors would be allowed to acquire minority, non-controlling interests, while FIFA says it would retain control of the company and all football-related decisions.
FIFA has said the proposed structure would significantly increase development funding available to each of its 211 member associations. The plan requires majority support from those associations and the relevant approvals from the FIFA Council.
CONCACAF said the future of football and its most valuable assets must remain under the control of the football community.