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FIFA Chief Infantino Abandons World Cup Sell-Off Plans Amid Backlash

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors.
  • The proposal, which would have created a commercial subsidiary, faced widespread condemnation from football organizations like UEFA.
  • Infantino cited divisions caused by the project as the reason for its withdrawal, stating it was no longer in the best interest of the original objective.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has abandoned his controversial plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors, citing divisions caused by the project. The proposal aimed to create a commercial subsidiary, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, and hospitality for events like the World Cup.

Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.

— Gianni InfantinoIn a statement announcing the withdrawal of his plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions.

Infantino's plan had drawn significant backlash from across the football world. UEFA, the governing body for European football, had unanimously agreed to boycott all FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, if the plan proceeded. "The World Cup is not for sale," UEFA declared in a statement.

The World Cup is not for sale.

— UEFAIn a statement announcing their unanimous agreement to boycott FIFA tournaments if the plan proceeded.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF also condemned the proposal, though they stopped short of threatening a boycott. The opposition intensified with the resignation of Infantino's senior advisor, Carlos Cordeiro, in protest. FIFA's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, further criticized the plan, calling it "the project of one person" who had "deceived" staff.

the plans were "the project of one person" who had "deceived" FIFA staff.

— Kevin LamourFIFA's chief operating officer, criticizing Infantino's proposal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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