FIFA has vowed to plough on with its controversial plan to sell off parts of its major competitions to external investors, despite European nations promising a boycott.
The world game’s governing body responded to widespread criticism of its idea on Friday and blamed “incorrect media reports” for the negativity.
Under president Gianni Infantino, FIFA proposes to sell stakes in its flagship events, including the men’s and women’s World Cup, to investors and form a new subsidiary – FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). FIFA says Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner – the brother of US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared – will lead the investor group.
A FIFA statement on Friday read: “We have heard the feedback provided by the respective confederations in relation to the proposed establishment of FFE and would like to address the issues that have surfaced since the initial media reporting on Tuesday.
“FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself.
“Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.
“Everyone has the right to express their opposition and to seek further clarification but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 MAs around the world. Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future. These are the democratic principles of FIFA.”
UEFA and CONCACAF reject FIFA proposal
For Infantino’s plan to succeed, 106 of the 211 MAs would have to give their approval.
UEFA yesterday confirmed all 55 of its MAs had rejected it – and also vowed not to play in any FIFA-sanctioned event until the plan was shelved altogether.
CONCACAF, and its 41 members, also gave it a thumbs down.
That already leaves Infantino on shaky ground and if another 10 MAs side with UEFA and CONCACAF, the FIFA president could be fighting to retain his position.
When will UEFA’s resolve be tested?
The first chance for UEFA to follow through on their boycott threat will come at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which gets underway on September 5 in Poland.
FIFA have said MAs will receive £30m each under the proposal and have access to an initial £15m if they back the plan by a deadline of September 19.
That raises the possibility of UEFA countries pulling out of the Under-20 tournament midway through.
The FFE scheme could result in the downfall of Infantino, who was expected to be a shoo-in to retain his position as president when the next elections are held in March.
