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FIFA plans to sell shares in new commercial company, drawing UEFA criticism
🇩🇰 Denmark /Sports

FIFA plans to sell shares in new commercial company, drawing UEFA criticism

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • FIFA is establishing a new commercial entity, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), aiming to attract private investors.
  • The organization plans to value FFE at $20 million and sell approximately 20% of its shares, potentially including national football federations.
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated the move aims to democratize football globally, while UEFA expressed strong opposition, calling it a step too far.

The International Football Federation (FIFA) is moving to create a new, independent commercial company called Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), signaling a significant shift in its financial strategy. This initiative, detailed in a recent FIFA press release, aims to attract private investment by valuing the new entity at $20 million and offering around 20% of its shares to external investors.

Our next growth phase requires a structure that is built for it. A structure where the commercial side of the game operates as a focused and dedicated business, where value is shared more and better across the world.

— Gianni InfantinoExplaining the rationale behind establishing the new commercial entity.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino framed the plan as a move towards the "democratization of football on a global scale." He explained that the next phase of growth requires a structure dedicated to commercial activities, ensuring that value is shared more broadly worldwide. FIFA has assured that any private minority shareholders will not gain control over core sporting decisions, tournament oversight, or the international football calendar. Profits generated by FFE are earmarked for reinvestment into football development.

However, the proposal faces strong opposition from UEFA, the governing body for European football. In a statement on X, UEFA declared that FIFA is crossing a line that football institutions should never breach. They argued that "the spirit and leadership of football are not assets to be traded" and criticized the lack of transparency regarding potential profit-makers. UEFA firmly stated, "None of us own football. It is not up to FIFA to sell it."

The spirit and leadership of football are not assets to be traded - especially not when there is no transparency regarding who profits from it.

— UEFAExpressing strong disapproval of FIFA's plan to sell shares in the new commercial company.

For Fifa Forward Enterprise to become a reality, it requires approval from a majority of FIFA's member nations. The differing viewpoints between FIFA and UEFA highlight a potential conflict over the commercialization and governance of global football.

None of us own football. It is not up to FIFA to sell it.

— UEFAStating their opposition to FIFA's commercialization strategy.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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