CAF has asked its member associations to study FIFA’s proposal to sell minority stakes in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other competitions to private investors.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the African football body said its president, Patrice Motsepe, will meet with the CAF executive committee next week to assess the proposal presented by FIFA.

CAF said its member associations are free to take part in the consultation process in line with the regulations and procedures of both CAF and FIFA.

Earlier this week, FIFA unveiled plans to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary that will oversee the management of its competitions, including the World Cup.

The global football governing body said it would remain the majority owner of the new entity while raising $4.2 billion this year by  “carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests”.

According to The Times, Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, could benefit from the arrangement by becoming commissioner of the FFE after his expected final term ends in 2031.

The newspaper also reported that potential investors include Joshua Kushner, brother-in-law to Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, as well as an investment arm of JP Morgan Chase, the US bank that previously backed the failed European Super League project.

FIFA’s proposal has attracted criticism from football stakeholders and supporters across different regions of the world.

UEFA said the World Cup was not an “asset to trade,” while Glenn Micallef, the European Union’s sports chief, urged FIFA to “hands off our game.”

Football confederations in South America, North America and Asia also said they were not consulted before FIFA announced the proposal.

CAF, however, said discussions are “currently underway with FIFA member associations and the FIFA Council” regarding the plan.

The confederation added that it remains committed “to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, FIFA, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide”.

FIFA had earlier informed its member associations that each could receive $40 million if they support the proposal to sell stakes in its major competitions. A leaked memo also set September 19 as the deadline for associations seeking to benefit from the funding.

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