FIFA president Gianni Infantino has offered the organization’s 211 member associations up to $40m if they support a controversial plan to sell stakes in the governing body’s major competitions, including the World Cup.
In a five-page letter sent to football federations, Infantino set a 19 September deadline for members to accept the proposal and receive an initial $20m from 1 January.
FIFA said the funding would come from “liquidating a minority portion” of its stake in FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary created to increase commercial revenue through private investment.
The proposal would see FIFA establish a commercial subsidiary responsible for managing its main events, allowing external investors to purchase stakes in the business. The plan is reportedly aimed at raising up to $10bn.
The move has sparked widespread criticism, with UEFA accusing FIFA of using football to benefit itself and its associates.
The European football body said the proposal lacked transparency and warned that Fifa must prioritize national associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.
Several football organizations have also raised concerns over the process behind the proposal. The Football Association said it was “completely unaware” of the plans and expressed concern about the lack of consultation and governance before the announcement.
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CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, said it was concerned that details of the proposal had been made public before discussions with relevant stakeholders.
The French Football Federation said member associations had not been involved and lacked the information needed to assess the impact of the plans, while the Asian Football Confederation called for transparency, consultation and good governance.
European football figures have also criticized the proposal. La Liga president Javier Tebas accused Infantino of using financial incentives to gain support ahead of the next FIFA Congress, while former Football Association chairman David Bernstein described the move as unacceptable and called for strong opposition.
The European Football Clubs organization, which represents more than 850 clubs, said FIFA should have consulted stakeholders before introducing a proposal of such significance.
FIFA has defended the plan, with Infantino saying it was his responsibility to present “game-changing opportunities” to member associations and ensure proposals were supported by clear figures and terms.
The proposal has intensified tensions between Fifa and UEFA which have previously clashed over issues including plans for a biennial World Cup and changes to international competitions.
Player union FIFPRO has also urged FIFA to reconsider the plan, warning it could have major consequences for player welfare, the football calendar and governance of the sport.
BBC
