England fans ‘planning Gianni Infantino protest’ with FIFA facing World Cup boycott | Football | Sport

England fans are reportedly planning a protest against Gianni Infantino and FIFA following news that the governing body will sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. FIFA confirmed its president, Infantino, intends to launch a subsidiary valued at $20bn (£15bn) and sell more than 20% of the new FIFA Forward Enterprise by raising $4.2bn (£3.16bn).

The official line is to help deliver more funding to FIFA nations, but critics have labelled it a desperate bid to win votes ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as well as helping to potentially line his own pockets with an extra cash boost. Understandably, the backlash has been fierce, with reports that major European nations are considering a boycott.

England fans are also keen to have their voice heard, with suggestions from journalist Henry Winter that the Three Lions faithful are preparing a protest against Infantino and FIFA ahead of their first UEFA Nations League match in September. England face world champions Spain at Wembley Stadium in a showpiece event, with claims the supporters will voice their anger towards Infantino and FIFA.

The specifics about the protest aren’t known at this stage, but elsewhere, it’s reported that UEFA will hold an emergency meeting with all 55 member states to discuss the controversial proposal. It comes after talk of a boycott was mooted, with relations between FIFA and UEFA having been on the ropes for some time.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin didn’t attend the World Cup final earlier this month in protest at several decisions FIFA have made during the tournament. That included the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s red card, following claims from Donald Trump that he got involved in having the ban lifted ahead of the USMNT’s round-of-16 tie against Belgium.

On the plans to welcome private investment into the World Cup, UEFA said in a statement: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.

“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every national football association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. 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.”

Meanwhile, a statement from the English FA read: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached. Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved. When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”