World Cup: France, England FAs join UEFA, slam Infantino over plans to sell stakes
The Football Association of England and the French Football Federation are voicing their concerns over a proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the organization. Both federations have stated they were unaware of any such initiatives and oppose the plans.
Reports indicate that Infantino has set a deadline of September 19 for football associations to approve his proposal, which aims to generate $4.2 billion by selling minority, non-controlling stakes in the Football Forward Enterprise. This entity manages FIFA’s commercial rights, including broadcasting, sponsorships, licensing, and ticketing.
In a statement released on July 29, the Football Association of England expressed frustration over their lack of information regarding the proposal. They emphasized the need for transparency from FIFA, stating, “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is and what conditions are attached.”
The statement continued: “Given the limited information available, we are profoundly concerned about the absence of process and governance that has led to this point, as well as the apparent substance and principles involved. Once the proposal is shared in a transparent manner, we will articulate our views clearly and provide further commentary.”
Philippe Hamidou Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, expressed similar concerns. He indicated his surprise at being informed about the project through a press release. “We learned through a press release about a very significant project for which we have no details, and which raises numerous questions, particularly regarding the introduction of investment funds within a commercial company alongside FIFA,” Diallo stated. He noted that federations have not been able to participate in discussions on such crucial issues.
Diallo also mentioned plans to consult with colleagues from major European federations and the president of UEFA to discuss how to approach the proposed plans.
FIFA has asserted that the initiative could help its member associations generate over $10 billion over the next four years if it is approved. To move forward, FIFA requires support from more than 50% of its members.
