UEFA has launched a scathing attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s ambitious proposal to create a $20 billion commercial company to manage the World Cup and other major tournaments, declaring that football’s governing institutions have crossed a dangerous line.The European football body reacted strongly after FIFA officially unveiled plans for FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new entity that would seek up to $4.2 billion from private investors in exchange for minority, non-controlling stakes in the business, which has been valued at $20 billion.The proposal immediately triggered concerns over the future ownership and governance of football, with UEFA questioning the transparency behind the project and warning against commercialising the sport’s biggest competitions.
‘It is not FIFA’s to sell’
In an unusually blunt statement, UEFA made its opposition crystal clear.“It is not FIFA’s to sell,” the governing body said as per an AP report. “None of us are the owners of football.”The organisation also warned that the proposal threatens the game’s long-term governance.“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially,” UEFA said while responding to reports of FIFA selling stakes linked to its competitions.Calling the development deeply concerning, UEFA added that it viewed the reports “extremely seriously. So should every national Football Association.”The statement concluded with another sharp warning: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.”UEFA represents 55 national associations, making it one of FIFA’s most influential confederations.
FIFA defends investment plan
FIFA, meanwhile, insisted the project is designed to strengthen global football rather than privatise it.According to the governing body, the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise would oversee competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and the Club World Cup, while raising fresh capital from carefully selected long-term investors.Investment bank J.P. Morgan is working with FIFA on the project, while prospective investors reportedly include Thrive Eternal, launched by Joshua Kushner. Joshua is the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, further fuelling scrutiny over FIFA’s political and commercial connections.FIFA said its 211 member associations would have to approve the proposal and could each receive up to $20 million in one-off capital if the plan is adopted.Defending the initiative, Infantino said: “This is about the democratisation of football worldwide.”
Echoes of FIFA’s failed 2018 proposal
This is not the first time Infantino has attempted to bring private investment into FIFA competitions.In 2018, he proposed a confidential $25 billion partnership backed by Japan’s SoftBank to launch new global tournaments, including an expanded Club World Cup. That proposal eventually collapsed after fierce resistance from UEFA, which feared it would undermine the Champions League and European Championship.Despite that setback, Infantino later expanded the Club World Cup and strengthened FIFA’s commercial ties with Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
