ASUNCION, Paraguay (AFP)—South American football governing body CONMEBOL is seeking further information from FIFA over its proposed private investment plan, saying in a statement on Friday that its priority would “always be football”.

“CONMEBOL has requested additional information and clarifications from FIFA on various aspects relating to the scope, structure, governance and potential effects” of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, the confederation said.

In a cautiously worded statement, CONMEBOL, which represents 10 member associations, said it recognised the need for commercial and financial decisions to support the development of football.

“However, those decisions must always be at the service of football and never take precedence over its essence,” it added. “Football always comes first.”

The response came a day after UEFA raised the prospect of a World Cup boycott and as opposition to the proposal broadened, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joining UEFA and CONCACAF in voicing concerns.

CONMEBOL, whose president Alejandro Dominguez is regarded as a close ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, had not previously taken a public position on the proposal.