FIFA has rejected mounting opposition to its plan to bring private investment into the World Cup, declaring that football is not being put up for sale despite threats of a boycott by UEFA and other continental confederations.
FIFA defends the proposal
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In a statement released on Friday, FIFA said consultations would continue over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary intended to manage the World Cup and other major competitions.
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The governing body said it had taken note of the views expressed by the confederations and respected the concerns raised publicly. It also renewed its pledge to conduct an open and democratic consultation.
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FIFA added that the process would continue so every member association could cast its vote after considering the available facts.
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Addressing fears that the plan would push football towards excessive commercialisation, FIFA insisted that selling the sport was neither the purpose of the initiative nor something it would consider.
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The organisation said FFE was designed to allow all 211 member associations to share in the financial expansion of football while preserving FIFA’s existing governance model and the game’s core values.
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FIFA also rejected suggestions that the plan had already been approved. Any move to put the structure into operation would need majority backing from its member associations.
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It said each association should have time to examine the proposal and participate in decisions that would shape its own future.
Continental opposition
The statement came fewer than 24 hours after UEFA’s 55 member associations reportedly agreed to boycott FIFA competitions if the governing body moved ahead with plans to sell a minority holding in its commercial division to private investors.
CONCACAF has likewise opposed the proposal, while the Asian Football Confederation criticised FIFA for what it considers an inadequate consultation process with the continental bodies.
The dispute stems from FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s drive to create the FIFA Forward Enterprise. US investment company Thrive Eternal is expected to head a consortium pursuing a minority share in the new venture.
FIFA maintains that FFE could generate substantial additional development money for its member associations, and says negotiations and consultation over the proposal remain in progress.
