FIFA Abandons Controversial Investment Plan Amid Backlash from Football Community

FIFA has officially announced it is dropping its plans to allow private investors to buy stakes in major competitions after facing intense backlash.

FIFA has officially announced it is dropping its plans to allow private investors to buy stakes in major competitions after facing intense backlash. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the controversial project had “created divisions” within the football community. Just a few months back, in late July, FIFA had proposed a plan that aimed to increase funding for its 211 member associations through a new subsidiary dedicated to managing its commercial operations and events, including the prestigious World Cups. This initiative, called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was supposed to tap into what Infantino described as the sport’s “remarkable commercial values.”

However, the decision to shelve this proposal comes after significant criticism from various quarters. Infantino mentioned that going forward, FIFA would collaborate with its associations and other confederations to “devise a plan” that would be more transparent and beneficial for the game. UEFA didn’t hold back in expressing its concerns, stating, “We cannot keep going on like this with secret schemes on fast track timescales, cooked up by faceless individuals and of dubious benefit to the game.” They further emphasized that “the World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product.”

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) also expressed strong disapproval of the investment plan. They called for “greater transparency and proper governance,” standing in solidarity with UEFA in their serious concerns regarding FIFA’s proposal. FIFA’s chief operating officer criticized the investment plan, labeling it as “the project of one person.”

Adding to the woes, Infantino has been under fire for FIFA’s management of various incidents related to the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. One of the most talked-about issues was the controversial decision to lift a ban on USA striker Folarin Balogun, which had sparked a wave of criticism.

So, what’s next for FIFA? The governing body of football must now navigate through this turmoil, aiming to regain trust from its member associations and the global football community. Will they succeed in crafting a more transparent and inclusive strategy? The world is watching closely…

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

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FIFA Abandons Controversial Investment Plan Amid Backlash

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has decided to scrap the controversial plan to sell stakes in the governing body, a move that had created significant

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has decided to scrap the controversial plan to sell stakes in the governing body, a move that had created significant divisions within the football community. Infantino stated that the proposal was “no longer in the interest” of the organization and that, as a result, it would not proceed. This decision comes after considerable backlash from various football associations, including UEFA and Concacaf, which had voiced their disapproval of the initiative.

Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, revealed that even the governing body’s own administration felt “deceived” regarding the details of the project. The plan was perceived as a potential “bad deal for football” by many, with former FIFA president Carlos Cordeiro criticizing it for risking the future of the sport. Infantino emphasized that FIFA’s purpose has always been to unite the football community and improve the game, reaffirming that this plan contradicted those principles.

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa welcomed the withdrawal of the investment proposal, signaling a collective sigh of relief among the member associations. Despite initial resistance, FIFA had insisted on pursuing the plan, claiming that “nobody is selling football,” but the outcry from the football community proved too overwhelming to ignore.

In light of the plan’s rejection, governing bodies in Africa (CAF) and Oceania (OFC) expressed a need for further clarifications on FIFA’s broader intentions regarding the project. The proposal included inviting third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments, which was met with skepticism by many. FIFA had projected that the tournaments would expand significantly, potentially increasing payouts to around 24 million euros (£20.5 million) per member association during the 2035-2039 cycle.

The World Cup was referred to as the “most widely viewed yet under-monetized game,” and FIFA had intended for Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm, to lead the proposed investor group. This firm is associated with Joshua Kushner, brother of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. However, many stakeholders unequivocally opposed the plans, feeling that FIFA’s need for outside investors was misguided and that it could undermine the sport’s integrity.

Lamour described the initiative as “the project of one person,” suggesting it lacked the collective support necessary for such a significant undertaking. “If that means I lose my job, then so be it,” he remarked, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and collective decision-making within FIFA.

As reports of a potential boycott circulated, the Asian Football Confederation pointed to deeper issues regarding consultation and decision-making processes within FIFA that needed addressing. Fortunately, it seems the immediate crisis has passed, but now the question remains: Can Infantino rebuild his reputation after this debacle?

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber