Home FOOTBALL NZ Football Backs FIFA Projects But Rejects Saudi Deal, Seeks OFC Unity

NZ Football Backs FIFA Projects But Rejects Saudi Deal, Seeks OFC Unity

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Andrew Pragnell
Andrew Pragnell calls for Oceania alignment

New Zealand Football boss urges Oceania unity amid FIFA 'shock to confidence.' OFC must unite on Infantino future after FIFA private equity uproar, says NZ Chief.


“If that value is only set to rise, you're ultimately selling the global game at ‌a much lower...”

New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell says FIFA’s scrapped private equity deal was a hit to trust in how the game is run worldwide. He’s also calling on Oceania’s members to present a united front on Gianni Infantino’s leadership.


A number of European nations have publicly pulled their backing for Infantino. His bid for a fourth term as FIFA president took a big blow after the $4.2 billion plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights was abandoned.


Infantino has said sorry for the way the proposal split the football community.


The Oceania Football Confederation, which has 11 members including New Zealand, hasn’t stated a position yet on Infantino’s leadership. That could come down to a vote by FIFA’s 211 member associations if an Extraordinary Congress is called.


Pragnell, who announced Tuesday he’ll step down next year, said New Zealand has gained from FIFA initiatives under Infantino. He pointed to “enormous gains” for federations outside Europe and South America.


But he added that FIFA’s handling of the deal damaged trust. New Zealand Football rejected the plan without hesitation, despite the big increase in funding it would have sent to member associations.


He also asked why FIFA would seek private investment at all, given how strong its finances are.


“It is unusual to do a capital raise like that when capital is not your issue,” he said.


“One of the biggest questions was valuation, how that had been undertaken, and where we are in terms of forecast valuations of the total equity of all the competitions.


“If that value is only set to rise, you're ultimately selling the global game at ‌a much lower value than it could be worth in the future.”


New Zealand is the clear powerhouse in Oceania on the pitch.


The country benefited from FIFA’s backing to co-host the 2023 Women’s World Cup with Australia. The decision to expand the men’s World Cup to 48 teams has also been a major win for them.


In the past, New Zealand had to survive intercontinental playoffs just to reach a World Cup. Now, with Oceania guaranteed one direct spot in the expanded 48-team format, qualification is all but certain for the region’s top side.


 

'Governance Is Governance'

Even with all the support New Zealand has received from FIFA, Pragnell said they’re not tied to the organization. He pointed to NZF’s stance against FIFA bringing in Saudi sponsorship for the Women’s World Cup as proof.


“It's alright to acknowledge that positive work (of FIFA), but governance is governance,” he said.


“As members, we are effectively the shareholders of the game and the future of the game.”


UEFA and CONCACAF have both said they no longer have confidence in FIFA’s leadership. Pragnell said New Zealand would first talk with the OFC and other regional confederations before deciding where it stands.


He added that it would be ideal for Oceania’s members to take a united position, but admitted getting everyone on the same page might not be possible.


 

“There's obviously more power in numbers... Certainly it helps when a confederation acts in unison,” he said.


“You've ⁠seen in some confederations, even in the last ⁠week, members go different ways from other members.


“At ‌the end of the day, the independence of each member association is respected as well.”
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