FIFA World Cup private investment plan draws UEFA warning
UEFA says the World Cup is “not FIFA’s to sell” after a reported private investment plan tied to a new FIFA entity.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
UEFA has fired back at a reported FIFA World Cup private investment proposal, saying football’s biggest tournament is “not FIFA’s to sell” after FIFA outlined plans for a new commercial vehicle that could bring in billions from outside investors.
FIFA said Tuesday in a news release that it wants to increase football development funding to more than $10 billion, with the plan still needing approval from FIFA Member Associations.
The governing body said a new FIFA-owned entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, would combine FIFA’s commercial and event operations. FIFA said the entity could raise up to $4.2 billion later this year to fund the FIFA Forward Football Program, based on an initial equity valuation of $20 billion.
According to FIFA, the money would come from carefully chosen long-term investors buying minority, non-controlling stakes in FIFA Forward Enterprise.
What is FIFA's World Cup private investment proposal?
The reported proposal centers on bringing private investors into a FIFA-linked company connected to the organization’s commercial and event operations. FIFA says the investors would receive minority, non-controlling interests, while UEFA says the idea raises serious concerns about who benefits from football’s biggest assets.
The Times reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino is working on a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup through a structure that could see a company formed to oversee FIFA’s most valuable men’s and women’s tournaments, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.
FIFA has not responded to The Times report, according to ESPN. The Times also reported that people close to U.S. President Donald Trump have been consulted about the plan.
If the proposal were to move ahead, ESPN reported, it could place the World Cup under the control of a company outside FIFA, the nonprofit body that governs global football.
UEFA says football is not for sale
UEFA issued a sharp statement against the reported plan, saying it crossed “a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.” The European governing body said national associations, leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and other stakeholders should take the matter seriously.
UEFA said “the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade,” and raised concern about what it described as a lack of transparency over who would gain financially. Its statement added: “None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
The reaction sets up a major fight between FIFA and UEFA if the investment plan develops beyond FIFA’s current proposal for FIFA Forward Enterprise.
What role could Gianni Infantino play?
Infantino, 56, is expected to stand for re-election as FIFA president next year. If he wins, he would remain in office until 2031, when FIFA statutes would require him to leave because of term limits.
The Times reported that Infantino has been lined up to run the proposed company as a commissioner after his FIFA presidency ends.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.