‘World Cup sale’ retaliation growing as UEFA double down after threat | Football | Sport
UEFA have issued another statement slamming the proposals from FIFA that would see them sell the rights to the World Cup, stating the plans would ‘enrich themselves and their friends’.
The statement comes after plans were put forward by FIFA president Gianni Infantino which would see shares in world football’s governing body’s competitions sold to private investors.
UEFA’s initial statement in response to the plans stated that FIFA had ‘crossed a line’ with their proposals. There have since been reports that FIFA has written to its 211 member associations promising $40m (£30m) if they support the controversial scheme.
Members are believed to have until September 19 to give a positive response to the plans, or they would risk not getting access to an initial $20m (£15m) by January 1.
A statement read: “Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan.
“But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme. FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends.
“We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”
At the forthcoming emergency meeting, UEFA could consider boycotting the World Cup in what would represent a dramatic step. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin was absent from the men’s final earlier this month amid friction with FIFA. The next World Cup scheduled is the women’s tournament in Brazil next year.
It is worth noting that FIFA operates as a not-for-profit organisation and is owned by its 211 member associations. FIFA consequently benefits from tax-exempt status in Switzerland, where its headquarters are based.
FIFA maintains that, should outside investment materialise, it would preserve exclusive authority over football governance, its competitions and the international match calendar, alongside all sporting and regulatory matters.
It states that the investment would flow into a FIFA subsidiary rather than FIFA directly.
Infantino remarked in FIFA’s announcement – released after its proposal was leaked: “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 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.”
