UEFA accuses FIFA of 'selling football' with World Cup investment plan

Lead

FIFA has proposed a plan to sell minority stakes in the World Cup and other events to private investors, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from European football's governing body UEFA, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The proposal, announced by FIFA on Tuesday, would create a $20bn subsidiary — named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) — to manage the World Cup and other tournaments, with FIFA retaining a majority share. Minority stakes of up to 20 percent would be sold to external investors to raise up to $4.2bn, as reported by Al Jazeera, Dawn, and France 24 — English.

Coverage comparison

The plan has been widely reported, with outlets noting that it still requires a vote by FIFA's 211 member nations. UEFA has responded forcefully, with a statement carried by multiple sources saying the proposal "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross" and that "the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially." According to Al Jazeera, UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA events if the plan proceeds. The same outlet also reported that former FIFA President Sepp Blatter criticized the plan, saying the World Cup "should not become an investment product for private equity" and that FIFA is "the guardian of the World Cup, not its owner." UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also voiced criticism, according to Al Jazeera.

Key claims

• FIFA plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other events to private investors. This claim is supported by Al Jazeera, Dawn, and France 24 — English, which report that FIFA intends to offer minority stakes in a newly created subsidiary.
• A $20bn subsidiary would be created to run the World Cup and other events. Multiple sources, including Al Jazeera and Dawn, report the establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) with an initial equity valuation of $20bn.
• FIFA would retain a majority share in the new subsidiary. Both Dawn and France 24 — English report that FIFA would keep majority control of FFE, with minority non-controlling interests sold to investors.
• Minority stakes would be offered to external investors to raise up to $4.2bn. This figure is reported by Al Jazeera, Dawn, and France 24 — English, with France 24 — English noting the goal is to raise $4.2bn by selling minority stakes.
• The plan needs to be voted on by FIFA's 211 member nations. Al Jazeera reports that the proposal requires approval from FIFA's member associations.
• UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA events if the plan goes ahead. Al Jazeera reports this threat, quoting UEFA's statement that the plan "crosses a line."
• Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has criticized the plan. Al Jazeera quotes Blatter saying the World Cup "is part of the cultural heritage of world football" and should not be sold.
• UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has criticized the plan. Al Jazeera reports Burnham's opposition, though his specific comments are not detailed in the available extracts.

Perspectives

FIFA

FIFA has defended the proposal as a way to increase funds for the sport. In a statement reported by multiple outlets, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the plan would "increase funds to widen access to the sport and strengthen global participation, with all net benefits to be reinvested in football." FIFA also stated it "would retain sole control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions."

UEFA

European football's governing body has strongly opposed the plan. In a statement carried by Al Jazeera, Dawn, and France 24 — English, UEFA said: "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously." UEFA added that "the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell." Al Jazeera reports that UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA events if the plan goes ahead.

Sepp Blatter

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who led the organization for 17 years until 2015, criticized the plan in comments reported by Al Jazeera. "If FIFA were transferred into a profit-oriented corporate structure, it would lose its soul," Blatter said. He described the World Cup as "part of the cultural heritage of world football" and said FIFA is "the guardian of the World Cup, not its owner." Blatter also drew attention to the involvement of Joshua Kushner, brother of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared, posting on social media that "the close relationship between the FIFA President and the US President has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football."