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Infantino defends World Cup sales plan: 'Strengthening commercial aspect is the next step'
🇨🇱 Chile /Sports

Infantino defends World Cup sales plan: 'Strengthening commercial aspect is the next step'

From Cooperativa · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended a proposal to create a private subsidiary to commercialize and organize tournaments, citing potential revenue generation.
  • The plan, called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), requires approval from member associations and the FIFA Council.
  • Infantino stated the initiative aims to "unlock previously un-tapped commercial value" and benefit all 211 member associations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended a controversial proposal to establish a private subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), aimed at commercializing and organizing the organization's tournaments. Facing criticism from media, federations, and UEFA, Infantino emphasized the potential economic benefits and framed the initiative as a "proposal, an offer" within a "democratic process."

FIFA Forward Enterprise or FFE is actually a proposal, an offer. It is part of a democratic process. A process of consultation and, above all, it is an opportunity, but not an obligation.

— Gianni InfantinoInfantino described the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise.

Infantino stated that the FFE would only proceed if approved by a majority of FIFA's 211 member associations and the FIFA Council. He described the subsidiary's role as commercializing and organizing FIFA-owned competitions with sponsor intermediaries, asserting it would be "for the benefit of all 211 associates."

If, and only if, it is approved by the majority of our 2011 member associations and the FIFA Council, it would be a subsidiary consolidating FIFA's commercial and event operations.

— Gianni InfantinoInfantino outlined the conditions for the FFE's establishment.

While addressing the financial projections, Infantino did not comment on reports suggesting that dissenting federations might be excluded from revenue sharing. He also sidestepped questions regarding the alleged offer of shares in the new company to Joshua Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The FFE would simply commercialize and organize all FIFA-owned competitions, along with sponsor intermediaries.

— Gianni InfantinoInfantino explained the intended functions of the FFE.

"Strengthening the commercial aspect of the game is the next natural step in this evolution," Infantino argued, explaining that the goal is to "unlock the potential of the sport in every corner of the world." He reiterated that the FFE is "just an offer, not an obligation" and assured fans that their experience remains central, with flagship tournaments like the men's and women's World Cups always remaining under FIFA's governance without external interference.

Strengthening the commercial aspect of the game is the next natural step in this evolution.

— Gianni InfantinoInfantino justified the move as a natural progression for FIFA.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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