FIFA proposal triggers major backlash
Gianni Infantino has sent shockwaves through the footballing world after plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup were revealed. The FIFA president has faced backlash after it emerged that the sport’s world governing body wanted to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run its events and would allow external investment.
Infantino has given FIFA’s 211 member associations until September 19 to accept the proposal, promising each around £30million ($40m) for the 2027-30 FIFA cycle, beginning with a payment of approximately £15m ($20m) in January 2027.
However, European governing body UEFA has responded by announcing plans for its 55 member associations to boycott FIFA competitions while the proposal is under discussion. FIFA’s reported proposals suggest that the governing body would own the majority of FFE, with private investors buying 20 to 30 per cent, and the member organisations’ stake totalling 20 per cent.
Responding to the criticism on Wednesday, Infantino said:
