Finland President of the Football Association Ari Lahti is puzzled by Tuesday’s news that the International Football Association is selling 20-30 percent of the World Cup to private investors.
In Lahti’s opinion, Fifa’s current funds would be sufficient to run the competition “very well”.
“I don’t see any point in that. I’m definitely adamant,” I retort sharply.
Fifa’s plan breaks the “sacred European equation”, where the sport develops itself and thus collects all possible profit.
“We have been building the history of the World Cup for 96 years, and I see no need to sell pieces. It is completely against what I believe in,” Lahti thunders.
European The football association expressed its concern about Fifa’s efforts early Tuesday evening.
For example, the British broadcasting company BBC and the US sports media ESPN have said that Uefa will hold an emergency meeting on the matter. Lahti had not heard about the meeting on Wednesday morning.
UEFA’s 55 members are in the minority in Fifa’s membership of 211 countries. However, Lahti believes that Europe’s voice is heard.
“We are at the very top in terms of sports and finances.”
Six of the eight quarter-final teams were European in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Open shrugged In Finland, on Tuesday of the other week, when he said that the Finnish Football Federation supports Gianni Infantino’s continued term as Fifa president. The domestic football boss justified his position with, among other things, the overall picture.
Now the clock has another sound.
“Personally, I cannot accept this. It is also clear that the Swedish Football Association is against this. We do not want to sell football and its soul.”
“This is already an idea that needs to be discussed in the government.”