Selling World Cup Stakes Called 'Absurd' by Former FIFA Vice President, Urges Trust Rebuilding

Former FIFA Vice President Jim Boyce has strongly criticized a proposal to sell stakes in the commercial rights of the World Cup, describing the plan as "absurd" and calling for FIFA to rebuild trust with fans. The proposal, which involved creating a new entity to manage FIFA events and selling up to 20% of its equity for as much as $4.2 billion, drew immediate and fierce opposition.

UEFA, European football's governing body, threatened to boycott FIFA events, accusing the organization of trading away the "soul" of football. FIFA defended the plan, asserting that the billions raised would support global football development and claiming the proposal was misinterpreted by the media. However, Boyce argued that FIFA, as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting football worldwide, has no need for external investors.

“

Absolutely, it should not be sold to investors. The purpose of investment is to make money. FIFA is a non-profit organization, to promote global football, they do not need outside investors.

"Absolutely, it should not be sold to investors. The purpose of investment is to make money. FIFA is a non-profit organization, to promote global football, they do not need outside investors," Boyce told Reuters. He emphasized that the incident has presented FIFA with a difficult task of rebuilding trust among the general public.

Boyce added that FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is facing pressure for re-election next year, must now work to repair the damage caused by the "absurd" proposal. Infantino, who has been re-elected unopposed twice since taking office in 2016, is seeking a fourth term. The FIFA presidential vote is scheduled for March 18 in Morocco.

“

The general public is very disgusted with this whole thing, and they are looking to see how FIFA is going to make repairs. The FIFA president is a very high office. Now if he wants to keep his position, he has got to set about making repairs to the damage that has been done by what I can only describe as an absurd suggestion.