FIFA president Gianni Infantino has stirred the pot with his bold proposal to create a new commercial subsidiary that would allow private investors to buy minority stakes in the business generated by the World Cup and FIFA’s event operations. The catch? FIFA would still retain majority control. Infantino claims this plan could unlock more than $10 billion, or about €8.7 billion, for football development. But let’s be real here—Europe, the heart and soul of football, isn’t just an asset to be traded like baseball cards. The governance of the game is at stake, and many are questioning whether this plan can genuinely take flight.
Now, here’s where it gets tricky. Article 12 of FIFA’s statutes requires that for most decisions, a simple majority of more than 50% of valid votes is necessary. However, if implementing this plan requires changing FIFA’s statutes, a much higher bar is set. Infantino would then need 75% support from FIFA’s associations. A daunting challenge, no doubt! Picture this: if all 211 associations were present and eligible to vote, Infantino would need a whopping 159 votes to get that three-quarter majority. But, if all UEFA members, who hold significant sway, voted against the changes, Infantino’s support could stall at 156, even if every other association backed him. Talk about a nail-biter…
FIFA insists this plan must be approved through a democratic vote of its members, and also needs the green light from the FIFA Council. But hold your horses—no Congress or Council meeting has been announced to formally discuss this proposal just yet. The next Congress is scheduled for 2027, unless an extraordinary meeting is called sooner. Meanwhile, the Council is set to meet again before the year ends in 2026, but, guess what? No date has been made public yet. So, what’s the next move?
Critics are raising eyebrows, and rightly so. Can you imagine the chaos if private investors start having a say in football’s most prestigious tournament? The sport has been built on tradition, passion, and a sense of community, and many feel that monetizing it in this way could compromise its integrity. It’s a classic case of “follow the money,” and the football community is holding its breath.
As it stands, FIFA’s proposal is hanging by a thread. The future of this plan is uncertain, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Infantino manage to navigate the choppy waters of FIFA governance and get this plan across the finish line? Only time will tell, but the football world is watching closely…
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber