Fifa World Cup sell-off is a money-grab and faces defeat, says Uefa
Uefa has warned Fifa it is facing defeat in its plans to sell stakes in a new subsidiary that will run the World Cup and accused it of using football to “enrich themselves and their friends”.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino wants to set up a spin-off company to manage the commercial rights to the World Cup and other tournaments – and raise $4.2bn by selling minority stakes to investors including Joshua Kushner, part of Infantino ally President Trump’s extended family.
Infantino has written to Fifa’s 211 member associations asking them to back the plan by 19 September or risk missing out on a $40m windfall per country. Uefa members are said to be considering a boycott of Fifa competitions in response.
“Today we have learned of Fifa’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan,” Uefa said.
“But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, Uefa knows there is significant and growing opposition to Fifa’s scheme.
“Fifa cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”
Uefa, England’s FA and the governing bodies for Asia and North America all expressed dismay at Fifa’s failure to discuss the plans with them before its announcement on Tuesday.
Fifpro blasts Fifa U-turn on consulting stakeoholders
Global footballers’ union Fifpro has also slammed Fifa’s lack of consultation, just weeks after the parties agreed a memorandum of understanding that would ensure Fifpro a say in such matters.
“Fifpro Europe has noted with deep concern the proposal to transform the Fifa World Cup and other Fifa competitions into investable assets for private capital, a move that would fundamentally and irreversibly reshape the incentives underpinning the competitions in which players work, compete and build their careers,” it said.
“Given the proposal’s potentially far-reaching implications for player welfare, the international match calendar and the future governance of the game, it is particularly troubling that a project of this magnitude has been developed largely behind closed doors and brought close to agreement without any meaningful engagement with those most affected.
“The decision to bypass the dialogue mechanisms recently established between Fifa and Fifpro only reinforces these concerns.”
European Football Clubs, the umbrella body representing more than 800 teams, said it too had only learned of Fifa’s plans through the media but called for calm.
“EFC always seeks to work collaboratively and supportively with all stakeholders – Fifa, Uefa and all confederations, national associations, leagues, player and fan associations,” it said.
“In that vein, we urge for calm and thorough consultation on all topics affecting the football ecosystem, together with more rigorous and transparent governance processes put in place to protect the game for the long term.”