FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has come out to defend his plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup as he underlines the global benefit despite major organisations in football looking to stop his proposal
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has insisted that ‘fans would gain immeasurably’ from his proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup – which has been condemned by leading individuals and organisations within the game.
Infantino has seen his popularity plummet following a World Cup that faced accusations of corruption and disregard for the laws of the game. Now, in what is seen as a major money grab, the FIFA president is looking to sell stakes in FIFA’s major competitions.
He has claimed that the planned deal would ultimately raise billions, which would be put back into the game, but auctioning off aspects of World Cup has not been well received.
Infantino insisted the proposal was done so that FIFA could unlock “previously uncaptured commercial value” but maintained it would be the subject a democratic vote of FIFA’s 211 member associations and approval by the FIFA council – even if he has threatened a lack of funding for those who don’t back the idea.
In a video released on Wednesday the FIFA president has said: “FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, is actually a proposal, an offer. It’s part of a democratic process – a consultation process – and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation. It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation.”
He went on to add: “Capturing that value requires additional expertise, additional insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport. It would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions along with sponsorship, broadcast, licensing and new ventures for the benefit of FIFA’s 211 member associations.”
Infantino has appealed to the fans, claiming they would all benefit from the investment. “Fans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries,” he said.
UEFA have been outspoken against the idea and will hold a crisis meeting of its members to decide on action to hit back at Infantino’s World Cup plans. He has told countries that they have 53 days to sign up or face financial repercussions.
The 55 European associations are expected to discuss a range of actions, which includes a possible boycott of FIFA tournaments. Many of the leading figure in European football see Infantino’s proposal as a bribe to the national associations.
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