FIFA president Gianni Infantino
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, and several football stakeholders have criticised FIFA’s reported plan to sell a stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup and other competitions through a semi-private subsidiary.
The proposal has sparked widespread opposition, with critics warning that it could undermine football’s governance, transparency and independence.
In a statement on Wednesday, UEFA said football’s governance and integrity should not be treated as commercial assets.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us is the owner of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
CONCACAF also expressed concern over the proposal, citing the lack of consultation.
“We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process.”
Vice President of the German Football Association and president of Borussia Dortmund, Hans-Joachim Watzke, described the plan as an attack on the sport.
“Many in European football see FIFA’s plans as an absolute attack on football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here.
“At the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarter-finals and three the semi-finals. If European football stands united against these plans, that carries a great deal of weight.”
The president of Spain’s La Liga, Javier Tebas, accused FIFA of using football’s future for political purposes.
“It doesn’t seem like a reform. It seems like an electoral campaign financed with the future of football.
“Development cannot be used to buy votes or silences. The competitions and commercial rights of FIFA are not the personal patrimony of Infantino.”
The English Football Association also questioned the process behind the proposal.
“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.”
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo said national associations had not been adequately involved in discussions.
“It raises a lot of question marks for the federations, who have not been involved in the talks and do not have to hand the specific details to be able to comment on these topics which are fundamental to the future of football.”
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also criticised the move, alleging that the close relationship between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump had extended into financial matters.
“The close relationship between the FIFA president and the US President has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football. No one has the right to sell our game.”
Political leaders also weighed in on the controversy.
European Union Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef posted on X:
“Hands off our game.”
He later warned that aligning FIFA’s regulatory powers with private financial interests could create governance and conflict-of-interest concerns.
“Particular concern arises when FIFA’s regulatory powers become aligned with the financial interests of private entities. When the value of investments depends on decisions made by FIFA. That raises profound questions about governance, independence and conflicts of interest.”
UK politician Andy Burnham also opposed the proposal, saying:
“Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.”
Democratic members of the US House Judiciary Committee criticised the reported involvement of a company linked to Jared Kushner’s brother, describing the proposal as inappropriate.
FIFA has yet to publicly respond to the criticism.|
AFP
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