Against privatization: Majority of world football opposes FIFA boss Infantino

Despite growing opposition to President Gianni Infantino’s privatization plans, FIFA declared on Friday that it is sticking to its plans to involve private investors in the World Cup.

The Switzerland-based world governing body stated that “erroneous media reports” had disrupted the planned consultation process this week. Nevertheless, the controversial proposal will be put to a vote by the 211 national member associations.

“We will continue this consultation process so that each member association can cast its vote based on the facts,” FIFA said in a statement released overnight.

FIFA is proposing the creation of a $20 billion subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This company would be responsible for marketing and organizing the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. Up to 20 percent of the shares would be offered to external investors.

The investor group would be led by the Thrive Eternal fund, managed by Thrive Capital under the direction of Joshua Kushner, FIFA announced. Joshua Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

UEFA Leads the Resistance

The European football association UEFA is leading the resistance against the plans. It accuses FIFA of “selling the soul” of the sport. On Thursday, the 55 UEFA member associations unanimously decided to boycott all FIFA competitions – less than two weeks after Spain became world champions.

FIFA responded on Friday:

“No one is selling football. FIFA would never consider such a thing.” The statement continued: “Everyone has the right to express their opposition or request further clarification. But no single organization can speak for all 211 member associations worldwide. Each member association should have the opportunity to examine the proposal and have a say in its own future. These are FIFA’s democratic principles.”

The North and Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) also rejected the proposal at a meeting on Thursday. Unlike UEFA, however, the 41-member association did not threaten a boycott.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also sent a strongly worded letter to its 47 member associations. In it, it stated that the initiative could never succeed without the support of all six continental confederations. “In light of the clear positions taken by UEFA and CONCACAF, as well as the unprecedented division across the football world,” the AFC believes that the proposed Free Equalization (FFE) cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad support and unity to move forward.

FIFA: The process is democratic

FIFA President Gianni Infantino assured member associations in a letter this week that each association would receive US$40 million if the proposal were adopted by September 19. On Friday, FIFA reiterated that the proposal would only be implemented if a majority of its member associations agreed.

“These principles form the foundation of the FFE proposal: unprecedented development support, truly global ownership of our sport’s commercial opportunities, and complete self-determination for all member associations through a democratic process.”

Because he was not involved in the planning, FIFA President Carlos Cordeiro’s senior advisor resigned on Friday. “As a senior advisor to the FIFA President, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand idly by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup. It’s a bad deal for the member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the sport.”

UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC together have 136 member associations, more than half of FIFA’s 211 members. However, it is not certain that all national associations will follow the position of their respective continental confederations.