UEFA has hit out at a leaked FIFA plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, a move that could make FIFA president Gianni Infantino millions.
The Times reported on Tuesday afternoon that Infantino was considering selling parts of the tournament to private investors and forming a new company, in a deal that could be worth around £15billion. The report said Infantino could become commissioner of that company once his role at FIFA ends in 2031, a position estimated to pay him more than $50million a year. The bank JPMorgan is said to be handling the process, and the Donald Trump administration is understood to have been consulted.
The proposal has drawn widespread criticism from across football. One source told The Times it would be a "nuclear bomb" for the sport, and another said it would "potentially be much worse than the European Super League." The English FA said it was completely unaware of the proposal.
UEFA, which has been critical of FIFA and Infantino's actions in recent times, said in a statement: "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade, especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell."
Reaction across football
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also condemned the reported plan, writing on X: "The close relationship between the FIFA President and the US President has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football."
Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticised FIFA on social media. "No one has the right to sell our game," he wrote. "Let me say this very directly. 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. The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will."
The FA said: "We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached. 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. When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further."
Concacaf, the governing body for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, said: "Concacaf was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release. We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process. We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place. As leaders within football, we are the custodians of the game. Collectively, FIFA, the Confederations and every Member Association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport. Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship. This is the framework within which Concacaf operates. We trust that all within the FIFA family will act in the same manner."
What the deal could mean
If the move goes ahead, the global football calendar would likely be affected. The Men's and Women's World Cup could be expanded or held more regularly than every four years, while the Club World Cup could face similar changes.
Under the proposal, all 211 FIFA member associations would receive stakes making up 20 per cent of the total company, worth around $20million (£15million) each, a figure larger than many associations' annual revenues. Associations would have the option to sell those stakes to raise funds. FIFA would retain a majority stake in the new entity, with private investors taking minority stakes.
FIFA is a not-for-profit organisation with tax-free status at its headquarters in Switzerland. For the 2022-2026 cycle, its revenue is expected to be around $15billion (£11.3billion), much of it from this summer's World Cup.
The Times reported that the blueprint has been discussed among senior FIFA figures and potential investors, who have signed non-disclosure agreements. Those potential investors are reported to include Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Some investors are understood to have even spoken internally about "buying FIFA."
Figures close to the plan reportedly see Infantino's proposed new role as comparable to the NFL, whose commissioner Roger Goodell earns about $64million a year.
Infantino under pressure
The reports come as Infantino is already facing criticism over several issues following the World Cup, including US visa restrictions that affected supporters and officials from many countries, high ticket prices, and his links with Trump. Those links came under scrutiny after Folarin Balogun's red card was suspended following a phone call by the US president to Infantino.
When contacted for comment, FIFA confirmed plans to launch a new body called FIFA Forward Enterprise, described as a "controlled subsidiary consolidating FIFA's commercial and event operations." FIFA said it would retain sole control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, the match calendar and all regulatory and sporting decisions, and said the move would increase funding available to all 211 member associations.
Daily Mail Sport also contacted the White House for comment.
