FIFA president Gianni Infantino's right-hand man quits in explosive statement responding to World Cup plans

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been hit with a major blow after his right-man quit in an explosive statement off the back of controversial World Cup plans.

Earlier this week, Infantino caused outrage when he shared plans to “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in a new subsidiary called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

That subsidiary could be worth around £15 billion and effectively means the selling of shares in FIFA's commercial and events operations.

US-based Thrive Capital - owned by the brother of Donald Trump's son in-law Joshua Kushner - have been tipped to lead the proposed investor group as FIFA eye overall investment of $20 billion.

Infantino gave all of FIFA’s 211 member associations a September 19 deadline to back the proposals and receive up to £30.1 million.

Naturally, there has been widespread opposition from multiple parties - with UEFA releasing a furious response and its 55 member associations pledging to boycott the World Cup if the plans come to fruition following an emergency meeting.

Federations across the world are also strongly against the idea, with Concacaf and the AFC adopting the same stance as UEFA and bringing the total member associations not in favour to more than 100.

The number is particularly significant as a majority vote to pass the proposal cannot be achieved.

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

In a new development, Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino, has announced he has resigned from his role as he expressed his his opposition over what he described as a "bad deal for the game".

Cordeiro issued a statement confirming his immediate exit, writing: "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. The organization 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 maximize 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."

FIFA's latest statement on controversial World Cup plans

UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister accused FIFA of committing "a form of blackmail financially" - with the governing body hitting back with its latest statement in the early hours of Friday morning.

READ NEXT: FA issue statement on UEFA's World Cup boycott plan

FIFA said that "nobody is selling football" and claimed their "planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports".

"We have heard the feedback provided by the respective confederations in relation to the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and would like to address the issues that have surfaced since the initial media reporting on Tuesday," the statement begins.

"We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation. Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA [member association] has the ability to express its vote based on facts."

FIFA went on to claim that the plans will allow each member association to "have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries" and that the proposals are fixed on "unprecedented development funding" and "truly global ownership of the commercial opportunities of our sport".