Pinnick backs FIFA proposal to sell stake in World Cup operations

Amaju Pinnick, former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has voiced his support for FIFA's controversial proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup and other competitions. Pinnick, who also serves as deputy chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, believes the initiative should be evaluated on its merits and has the potential to generate increased revenue for FIFA's member associations.

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First, I will say that I am not totally equipped to speak on this issue. I have not seen any mail to that effect. One thing I know is that Gianni does not just wake up and give a proposal. He consults extensively.

Pinnick pointed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's history of implementing reforms that have benefited football associations globally. He recalled Infantino's promise to significantly increase financial support for member associations, which he fulfilled after being elected. Pinnick stated that Infantino's current proposal aligns with this reform-driven approach, emphasizing that such proposals are a right of the president and should be considered by the members.

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He told me, ‘Now you receive $200,000. Once I get elected, you will now start receiving $1.25 million.’ I said, ‘That is a big lie.’ But when he got elected, he immediately started paying $1.25 million. For a cycle, each football association was getting about $6 million.

He argued that the primary beneficiaries of this proposal would be FIFA's member football associations, including Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, and South Africa. Pinnick suggested that each association could potentially receive up to $20 million, in addition to existing funding from FIFA's Forward Programme. He advised that concerns should focus on the integrity of the investors and the utilization of the funds, rather than labeling the proposal as inherently controversial.

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Gianni is making a proposal. As president of FIFA or the head of an organisation, you have the right to make a proposal. It behoves members to accept it or reject it. We shouldn’t call everything a controversy.