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Global backlash forces FIFA to abandon World Cup investment plan

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino abandoned a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup after facing a global backlash from football organizations and allies.
  • The proposal, which aimed to raise $4.2 billion, was criticized for potentially selling off the sport's integrity.
  • UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, a move that significantly weakened Infantino's position.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn a controversial plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, a move that sparked a fierce global backlash from football governing bodies and political figures. The proposed investment, intended to raise $4.2 billion, faced widespread opposition, significantly weakening Infantino's authority.

None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.

— UEFAUEFA's strong statement against FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its tournaments.

The plan first came to light when The Times newspaper reported on it, prompting a strong statement from UEFA declaring, "None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell." FIFA initially offered no comment but later detailed the plan, stating it would retain a majority share in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) while seeking long-term investors for minority stakes.

The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell.

— Andy BurnhamBritish Prime Minister Andy Burnham's public opposition to the FIFA investment plan.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham vehemently opposed the proposal, stating, "The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell." Other confederations, including CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, expressed deep concern and disappointment at not being consulted. The European Union also voiced its opposition, demanding, "Hands off our game."

We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.

— CONCACAFExpressing concern over the lack of consultation regarding FIFA's investment proposal.

Infantino attempted to counter the criticism in a video message, arguing that fans worldwide would benefit immensely from the plan, which he claimed would transform football in their countries. However, this did little to quell the dissent. UEFA, whose president had boycotted the World Cup final in protest, escalated their stance by threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions. This threat carried significant weight, as three of the four semi-finalists in the recent World Cup were European teams.

Hands off our game.

— European UnionThe European Union's clear opposition to FIFA's plan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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