FIFA rejects ‘selling football’ claims as controversial plan advances

FIFA unveiled plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise-an affiliate worth roughly $20 billion to manage its commercial, broadcasting, and event operations-declaring that “nobody is selling football” even as it pledged to persist with the controversial plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors.

On Thursday, UEFA which governs European football voted to boycott World Cups if the plan proceeded. CONCACAF, which governs football in North and Central America, is hosting this year’s World Cup.

The organization further clarified that its 41 member associations also rejected the proposal made by Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

According to a statement released on Friday, Fifa claimed the consultation process had been disrupted by incorrect media reports.

The statement reads: “ We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation.”

“We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each member has the ability to express its vote based on facts.”

“Nobody is selling football. This is not something Fifa would ever entertain.”

Currently Fifa wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its key events including its World Cups which will be opened to private equity. It further asserts that it plans to "invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments in a new subsidiary.”

Fifa further proposed: “To ensure all Fifa member associations have the opportunity to have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries.”

Earlier, Infantino wrote to Fifa members saying they will receive $40 million if they support his contested plan; setting a deadline of 19 September for federations to comply with his terms to gain access to an initial $20 million.

Fifa says that Thrive Eternal is slated to lead a proposed investor group for FFE if approval is granted.

FIFA’s statement further added, “Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future.”