Another 47 nations express 'serious concerns' over FIFA's World Cup plan with major milestone passed

The Asian Football Confederation - which is made up of 47 member associations - has stated they have 'serious concerns' over FIFA's proposal to sell minority stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

Both UEFA and CONCACAF - totalling 96 member associations - have already publicly rejected FIFA's plans, which were announced by its president, Gianni Infantino, on Tuesday.

UEFA have gone as far as threatening to boycott both men's and women's World Cups should the proposal progress further.

FIFA aim to raise over $20billion through private investment via a brand-new company, FIFA Forward Enterprise. US-based Thrive Capital - owned by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner - is expected to lead a proposed investor group.

Infantino has promised a payment of £30million to each individual member association that backs the proposals by a deadline of September 19.

UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister accused FIFA of committing 'a form of blackmail' through that particular offer, and UEFA issued an official statement in which they said that the World Cup 'cannot be treated as an investment product'.

CONCACAF, which administers football in North and Central America, stopped short of threatening a boycott but stated that their member associations have 'rejected' FIFA's proposal.

READ MORE: United States among 41 new nations to reject FIFA's World Cup sell-off plan as statement issued

FIFA issued a lengthy statement in the early hours of Friday morning defending their plans but pressure appears to be mounting both on world football's governing body and their president.

FIFA dealt defining blow on investment plan as AFC statement issued

Now, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which consists of 47 member associations including Japan, Australia, South Korea, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have issued a statement confirming that they 'stand in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns' over FIFA's proposal.

"The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game," the statement reads. "Football should never have been placed in such a position.

"Against this backdrop, and in light of the clear positions expressed by UEFA and CONCACAF, as well as the unprecedented divisions that have emerged across the football world, the AFC believes that the proposed FFE cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity to move forward.

"The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world's leading football nations. Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered."

The AFC have also criticised FIFA over their approach to the proposals, claiming that member associations, football governing bodies and confederations have all been left 'feeling sidelined'.

"The primary objective for world football must be to ensure that decisions of such magnitude are being developed through processes that are anchored on transparency and command the confidence of the football community.

"This is not the first occasion where major stakeholders have been confronted with significant initiatives after the direction of travel appears to have already been determined. Such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA's governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies.

"No subsequent consultation process, however well intentioned, can replace early engagement with the appropriate FIFA bodies and the football family.

"The AFC believes this moment must become a catalyst for strengthening institutional reform."

FIFA have also been called to 'undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement and appropriate oversight by FIFA's statutory bodies'.

The statement concludes: "The FIFA World Cup, and the game itself, belong to the entire global football family. Their future must always be shaped collectively, through institutions that reflect the voices of all Confederations and MAs."

The AFC's stance is significant as it means that FIFA and Infantino can no longer achieve the majority vote needed for their private investment proposal to pass through.

Should all UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC members turn down the proposal, that would equal 142 member associations - excluding the Northern Mariana Islands, who are part of AFC but not FIFA.

with 211 associations currently recognised by FIFA.