Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Deputy Chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competition Committee, Amaju Pinnick, has defended FIFA’s proposed investment plan, saying it is aimed at strengthening football development worldwide and empowering member associations.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News monitored by The News Chronicle on Thursday, Pinnick dismissed criticism surrounding FIFA’s proposal to sell a stake in its commercial rights, insisting that the initiative should be judged on its potential benefits rather than being labelled controversial.

According to him, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is well within his rights to present the proposal for consideration by the organisation’s members.

“Gianni is making a proposal. As president of FIFA, as the head of an organisation, you can bring out a proposal. It’s up to members to accept or reject it. Don’t call everything a controversy. He has the right to bring out a proposal,” Pinnick said.

He explained that the proposal is designed to provide greater financial support to FIFA’s member associations, which he described as the real shareholders of the global football governing body.

Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick

“The shareholders are the member associations, Nigeria FA, Niger FA, Ghana FA, South Africa FA. These are the main beneficiaries,” he stated.

Pinnick disclosed that if the proposal is approved, each member association could receive as much as $20 million in funding.

“He said clearly, once this is done, the member associations will receive $20 million,” he added.

The former NFF president also noted that member associations would continue to benefit from FIFA’s Forward Programme, through which they could access an additional $20 million to support football development projects.

“Each member association will have about $20 million. And through the FIFA Forward Programme, you can also access another $20 million,” he said.

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Pinnick stressed that concerns should centre on accountability and transparency in the management of the funds rather than opposition to the proposal itself.

“What people should be bothered about is the integrity of the funds, the integrity of the personnel, the people, the company. And this company is quoted on stock exchanges all over the world. Those are the issues people should focus on, as well as the disbursement and proper use of the funds,” he said.

He expressed confidence that FIFA already has adequate oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability.“I know FIFA also has that control mechanism,” he said.

Pinnick maintained that the proposed investment would significantly boost football development across the world by providing national football associations with greater financial resources to improve infrastructure, grassroots programmes and other development initiatives.

“You’re making funds because you want to empower each member association. What it’s doing is critical for the development of football,” he said.