Blatter: 'FIFA is not a private equity fund'

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has voiced strong criticism against the commercialization of football, asserting that "FIFA is not a private equity fund." He argued that while money is important, it should never become the sole focus. Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2016, expressed his views on social media, emphasizing the organization's nature as an association with statutes, regulations, and a responsibility to safeguard the global sport.

Blatter specifically targeted the now-abandoned FIFA plan to create a subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), intended for commercializing its events. He warned that selling the "crown jewels of football" to private investors means selling a part of the game itself, particularly its soul. His comments reflect a concern that prioritizing profit over the integrity of the sport could have detrimental consequences.

Blatter's tenure as FIFA president ended amid corruption scandals, leading to his resignation and subsequent ban from football-related activities. His presidency was followed by an interim period before Gianni Infantino was elected as his successor in February 2016. Infantino secured 115 votes, defeating rivals Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa and Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein. Blatter's current intervention, though from a controversial past, highlights ongoing debates within football governance regarding commercial interests and the sport's fundamental values.