Fifa refuses to back down on World Cup sell-off in face of European boycott
Fifa has refused to abandon its plans to sell off stakes in a new $20bn commercial vehicle despite all Uefa nations vowing to boycott future World Cups if it proceeds.
All 55 European nations in Uefa, including England’s Football Association, yesterday voted to support a boycott of all Fifa tournaments in protest at the divisive proposals.
They called for an immediate end to the consultation launched by Fifa president Gianni Infantino this week, ahead of a potential vote in September on whether to back it.
“We have heard the feedback provided by the respective confederations in relation to the proposed establishment of Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) and would like to address the issues that have surfaced since the initial media reporting on Tuesday,” it said.
“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation.
“Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA [member association] has the ability to express its vote based on facts.”
Fifa’s stance risks further fracturing relations with Uefa, which has the clout and financial power to derail the sell-off to investors including members of Infantino ally President Trump’s extended family, which it says would raise $4.2bn.
Why Uefa stance could kill Fifa World Cup plan
Europe has provided five of the last six World Cup winners, dominates the Club World Cup, and is the single biggest media market for selling broadcast rights to Fifa tournaments. Without Uefa teams, Fifa’s commercial vehicle stands to be far less attractive.
Fifa latest statement, released overnight, rejected claims that its plan amounts to “selling football”.
“FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all Fifa Member Associations have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of Fifa or football itself,” it said.
“Nobody is selling football. This is not something Fifa would ever entertain.”
Uefa has previously played a key role in defeating other radical Fifa-backed plans, including biennial World Cups and a proposed $25bn injection led by SoftBank.
Following its emergency vote on Wednesday, it said: “Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.”