Gianni Infantino could make millions as FIFA confirm plans to sell World Cup | Football | Sport
FIFA have announced plans to sell stakes in the organisation to third-party investors.] (Image: Getty)
Gianni Infantino is plotting to sell shares in FIFA and the World Cup to private investors. The governing body has confirmed it will invite third parties to make a ‘minority, non-controlling investment’ into the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). Bank J.P. Morgan has been engaged to work alongside FIFA, while other advisers such as OpenEconomics are in discussions with prospective long-term investors.
Infantino and the FIFA administration will retain control over the development of the project, while outside investors will hold a minority stake with no operational involvement. The administration of US President Donald Trump has reportedly been consulted regarding the plan, which would see a new company established to oversee FIFA’s men’s and women’s competitions, the World Cup and Club World Cup, a report from The Times claimed.
Each of the 211 member associations will be offered the opportunity to participate in the FIFA Fast Forward Programme (FFP). The Times has reported that one senior football figure has described the plan as a “nuclear bomb” for the game, as the proposals indicate that FIFA would retain a majority ownership of the company, with private investors purchasing between 20 to 30 per cent, and member organisations receiving a modest combined stake of 20 per cent.
UEFA have issued a statement roundly condemning the proposals. They said: “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.”
The venture is reported to have sparked concerns that private investors could exert pressure on the men’s World Cup being held in nations where commercial returns can be maximised. FIFA have confirmed to The Times’ Martyn Ziegler that Infantino plan is under discussion with American businessman Joshua Kushner, whose elder brother Jared Kushner is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, as a lead investor.
The 56-year-old Infantino is expected to be re-elected as FIFA president until 2031 unopposed. The shift to a new model could see Infantino assume the role of commissioner, with some suggesting the remuneration for that position could be comparable to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who earns $64million (£48m) per year — roughly ten times the FIFA chief’s current salary.
Infantino has faced considerable criticism in the wake of this summer’s World Cup across North America. Ticket prices, logistical shortcomings surrounding the tournament and Trump’s involvement — which saw USA international Folarin Balogun’s ban suspended — have all come under intense scrutiny.
Concerns have been raised about FIFA’s plans as UEFA have reacted furiously. (Image: Getty)
In a statement published alongside the news of the proposal to sell stakes in FIFA, Infantino vowed to give an opportunity for every FIFA association to seek a fair share of funding to shape its own future. He said: “Football is the world’s most popular sport and an extraordinary engine of human and social development,
“Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game. Our job is to make sure the rest of football grows with it: FIFA exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world.
“As its global governing body, FIFA is responsible for making sure the game reaches every corner of the world, and that the value it creates supports federations and communities everywhere. Our next stage of growth needs a structure built for it, one where the commercial side of the game operates as a focused, dedicated business, with its value shared more and better all around the world.
“Every FIFA Member Association should have an opportunity to seek a fair share of the available funding to shape its own future, deciding for itself rather than relying on others. This is about the democratisation of football worldwide. We intend to invest heavily even in the smallest or most remote parts of the footballing world, places that are too often passed over. Every FIFA Member Association, whatever its size, resources, or geographic location will have a voice and the opportunity to determine its own course. Football has become a truly global game and so the benefits must be felt globally.”
