FIFA Defends Private Investment Plan, Says ‘Nobody Is Selling Football’
FIFA has insisted that “nobody is selling football” as it moves ahead with consultations over a controversial proposal that would allow outside investors to take minority stakes in a new commercial subsidiary overseeing major football events.
The organisation’s response came after growing opposition from football governing bodies, particularly UEFA, which has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the proposal goes ahead. UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously backed the boycott position, while Concacaf, representing 41 national associations in North and Central America and the Caribbean, also rejected the proposal.
FIFA said its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, would move its commercial and event-related operations into a subsidiary that FIFA would permanently own and control. External investors would be allowed to make minority, non-controlling investments, while FIFA would retain authority over football governance and sporting decisions.
In a statement released on Friday, FIFA said the consultation process had been disrupted by what it called incorrect media reports. The organisation said it respected concerns raised by confederations and reaffirmed its commitment to allowing all 211 member associations to consider the proposal and express their views.
FIFA said the plan is intended to give member associations greater access to the commercial value generated by football. Under the proposal, each of FIFA’s 211 members would receive increased development funding, while participation in the additional investment programme would remain voluntary.
The organisation also stressed that FFE would not be created without majority support from its member associations. FIFA said its commercial activities would remain unchanged if the proposal fails to secure the necessary backing.
The proposal has nevertheless triggered strong criticism from UEFA, which argues that allowing private investors to own stakes in FIFA competitions could permanently change the relationship between commercial interests and football.
UEFA said external ownership would place greater pressure on competitions to generate financial returns and accused FIFA of failing to properly consult the football community before introducing the plan. The European body has said its national teams will not participate in FIFA competitions for as long as the proposal remains active, unless it is completely abandoned and guarantees are provided against future private ownership.
The proposed FFE has an initial valuation of about $20 billion, with FIFA aiming to raise billions of dollars through outside investment. One of the intended investors is Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the plan as a way to increase investment in football development around the world. However, the growing resistance from major confederations has put the proposal under intense scrutiny.
The consultation process is expected to continue as FIFA member associations consider whether to approve, reject or amend the plan. For now, FIFA says the future of the proposal should be decided through a democratic process involving all its members.
