In a move that has stirred significant debate, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the organization’s plan to offer minority stakes in a new commercial subsidiary. This subsidiary would be responsible for managing the FIFA World Cup along with other tournaments. Infantino characterized the proposal as a potential opportunity, emphasizing that member associations are not obligated to participate.
The plan involves the potential sale of up to a 20% stake to external investors. However, it has faced strong opposition from several key football bodies, including UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation. These groups have voiced concerns about the transparency and governance implications of the proposal, prompting UEFA to organize an emergency meeting to strategize its response. There are even reports that some European associations may resort to more drastic actions if the proposal continues in its current form.
Despite the backlash, Infantino has assured that FIFA would maintain full control over its competitions and governance, regardless of any external investment. He reiterated that the proposal is designed to enhance the organization’s commercial capabilities without compromising its core responsibilities and oversight.
FIFA has set a deadline of September 19 for its 211 member associations to express their stance on the proposal. The timeframe indicates the urgency with which FIFA is seeking to gauge support and potentially move forward with the plan.