FIFA has defended its controversial World Cup investment proposal after facing escalating opposition from football’s governing bodies, insisting that “nobody is selling football” despite threats of a boycott from UEFA and mounting criticism from other confederations.The governing body issued a lengthy statement on Friday responding to the growing backlash over plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new commercial subsidiary that would oversee the commercial rights to FIFA competitions. The clarification comes after UEFA unanimously backed a boycott of FIFA competitions if the proposal proceeds, while Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have also publicly rejected the plan. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has additionally been dealt an internal setback following the resignation of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who opposed the proposal and described it as “a bad deal for football”.
FIFA says consultation will continue
In its statement, FIFA said recent criticism had followed inaccurate reporting of the proposal and stressed that discussions with its 211 member associations would continue before any final decision is taken.“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,” FIFA said.“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 Member Association has the ability to express its vote based on facts.”FIFA reiterated that member associations would ultimately decide whether the proposal is approved, rejected or amended following the consultation process.
‘Nobody is selling football’
The governing body also sought to counter accusations that it was privatising the World Cup.“FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations 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,” the statement said.It added: “Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”FIFA also appeared to respond directly to UEFA’s unanimous position, arguing that no confederation could speak on behalf of the entire global membership.“Everyone has the right to express their opposition and to seek further clarification but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 Member Associations around the world.“Each Member Association should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future. These are the democratic principles of FIFA.”The organisation further emphasised that the proposal remains subject to consultation and could ultimately be approved, rejected or amended before any implementation.FIFA also added a key safeguard regarding the future of its commercial operations, stating: “Without the support of the majority of Member Associations, FIFA’s commercial activities would remain unchanged. FFE would not be established.”
Proposal continues to divide world football
The dispute centres on FIFA’s proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would manage the commercial rights to FIFA competitions, including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing.Under the proposal, FIFA would retain majority ownership while selling a 20% minority, non-controlling stake in the business, valuing it at approximately $20 billion and raising an estimated $4.2 billion. US investment firm Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, has been identified as the prospective lead investor, while FIFA has promised each of its 211 member associations up to $40 million in development funding if the proposal secures approval before the 19 September voting deadline.
FILE – UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, left, talks to FIFA President Gianni Infantino before a round of sixteen match between Switzerland and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Infantino has argued that the initiative would unlock additional investment for football while preserving FIFA’s control over governance and its competitions.
Opposition continues to grow
FIFA’s statement comes after a rapid escalation in opposition across world football.UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously agreed to boycott FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, unless the proposal is abandoned, insisting that “the World Cup is not for sale.”Concacaf also rejected the proposal, while the AFC became the latest confederation to oppose the plan, saying confidence in FIFA’s governance had been “undermined” and aligning itself with the positions taken by UEFA and Concacaf.The governing body has also faced criticism from within its own leadership after senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned with immediate effect. Cordeiro, who had advised Infantino since 2021, said he had no involvement in developing the proposal and opposed it “unequivocally”, arguing that FIFA already possessed sufficient financial resources and warning that selling a permanent stake in the World Cup would amount to “mortgaging football’s future”.With UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC now publicly opposing the proposal, more than 100 national associations are represented by confederations that have rejected the plan, casting significant doubt over FIFA’s ability to secure the majority support required when member associations vote on the proposal in September.
