Infantino plan to bring private investors into World Cup revenues sparks backlash | OneFootball

FIFA is facing an escalating backlash over Gianni Infantino’s push to bring private money into World Cup and other competition revenues, with critics voicing alarm over transparency and control.

The Times reports that Infantino has given the 211 member federations 53 days to decide whether to back the plan, with projected payments of 20 million dollars in 2027-30, 22 million in 2031-34 and 24 million in 2035-38. The report adds that development funding would top 10 billion dollars if approved, but drop to 2,700 million if rejected, a pressure some sources called bribery.

FIFA later outlined a restructure built around FIFA Forward Enterprise, a wholly owned subsidiary to pool commercial activity such as broadcast rights, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing and other businesses, and to sell minority stakes to outside investors. FIFA would remain a non-profit, but the new company would not. Sporting decisions would remain off limits to investors, with FIFA controlling calendars, tournaments, the laws of the game and global governance.

The organisation believes the vehicle could raise up to 2,700 million dollars in year one, implying a valuation of about 20 billion, by consolidating media, sponsorship and licensing income. Any changes would still require formal approval from member associations.

UEFA was first to object, saying the plan crosses a line that should never be crossed. It argued that nobody owns football and that selling the World Cup’s commercial rights is not FIFA’s to decide, adding that the body must stop using the sport to enrich itself and its allies. LaLiga president Javier Tebas accused FIFA of using development money to buy support, while former FIFA president Joseph Blatter criticised the organisation’s direction and said Infantino’s growing ties with the United States president have taken on a financial dimension harmful to football.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo