The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has confirmed the date of its meeting to discuss FIFA’s sell-off plan.
The proposals from FIFA President Gianni Infantino would create the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new commercial company that would control the rights to the governing body’s major tournaments.
The plans were met with huge backlash from the footballing world and beyond, with several federations holding discussions on how to respond to the proposals.
The OFC previously said they would meet next week, but GB News can exclusively confirm that discussions will be held on August 12.
The meeting will take place with the 11 member associations which make up the OFC.
These include New Zealand, American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
It has not been confirmed where the meeting will take place or at what time on August 12.
Federations have been gradually issuing statements regarding FIFA’s initial proposals, with UEFA taking the harshest response.
The OFC has confirmed it is meeting on August 12 to discuss FIFA’s Forward Enterprise plan
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UEFA announced last week it would boycott FIFA tournaments if it went ahead with its sell-off plan, and has now said its position has not changed, as “conditions have not been met” despite the proposals being scrapped.
Its comments came after Infantino “sincerely apologised for errors” made with the proposed FFE.
The Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which oversees North America, have also voiced opposition.
CONMEBOL, which looks after South American sides, released a statement saying they would not back a vote to oust the FIFA President.
UEFA have been the most vocal federation against FIFA’s plans
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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is the sole federation to have given its backing to Infantino.
In a statement, CAF said: “The CAF Executive Committee (‘EXCO’) unanimously endorses the ‘Joint Update’ by the FIFA President and Secretary General on the FIFA Forward Enterprise and will continue to focus on making African Football amongst the best in the world and adhering to governance and transparency global best practices.”
The President of CAF, Dr Patrice Motsepe, said: “CAF welcomes and endorses the ‘Joint Update’ by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. CAF will continue to focus on making African Football amongst the best in the world and is reaffirming its commitment to adhering to global governance, transparency and auditing best practices.
“For us in Africa, adherence to governance, due process and transparency is crucial and non-negotiable, as this is the practice and conduct we expect from our governments, business and other institutions and organisations. This is also the conduct that is expected from CAF.”
Infantino is under immense pressure in his role as FIFA President | PA
Dr Motsepe’s statement continued: “We are committed to continue working together with FIFA, its Member Associations, other Football Confederations and stakeholders to safeguard and adhere to governance, due process, and transparency global best practices and to contribute to the development and growth of Football worldwide.
“CAF will also continue to focus on developing our boys’ and girls’ football players, coaches and trainers, the National Teams of our 54 Member Associations and the amateur and professional leagues on the African Continent.
“Good progress is being made in discussions with our current and new sponsors, partners and investors to ensure that CAF continues to be financially self-supporting and independent and that stadiums and other Football infrastructure is constructed and upgraded.
“Progress is also being made in the preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (‘AFCON’) Kenya Tanzania Uganda (‘PAMOJA’) and other CAF Competitions.”
