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UEFA opposes FIFA chief Infantino's plan: Football is not a commodity
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Sports

UEFA opposes FIFA chief Infantino's plan: Football is not a commodity

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • FIFA plans to establish a commercial company, 'FIFA Forward Enterprise,' valued at $20 billion, and sell a quarter of its shares to attract external investment.
  • UEFA strongly opposes the plan, stating that football's soul and governance are not for sale and urging national federations, clubs, and fans to take the matter seriously.
  • The controversy arises as FIFA also considers expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, a move that has also drawn criticism.

FIFA's ambitious plan to create a new commercial entity, 'FIFA Forward Enterprise,' valued at approximately $20 billion, has ignited fierce opposition from UEFA. The proposal involves selling a quarter of the company's shares to outside investors, aiming to raise about $4.2 billion. However, UEFA views this move as crossing a critical line for football governance.

This crosses a line that football governing bodies should never cross. UEFA takes this very seriously.

— UEFAUEFA's official statement condemning FIFA's commercialization plan.

In a strong official statement, UEFA declared, "This crosses a line that football governing bodies should never cross. UEFA takes this very seriously." The European football confederation emphasized that this issue concerns not only national football associations but also leagues, clubs, players, fans, and governmental bodies worldwide. "The soul of football and its governance are not a commodity," UEFA asserted, questioning who would financially benefit from such a venture.

UEFA's strong stance highlights a fundamental disagreement over the commercialization of football. The organization argues that football does not belong to FIFA to be sold off, implying a concern that the sport's integrity and control could be compromised by external commercial interests. This debate comes at a time when FIFA is also reportedly considering expanding the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams, another proposal that has faced significant criticism.

The soul of football and its governance are not a commodity.

— UEFAUEFA's strong assertion against selling stakes in FIFA's commercial ventures.

The exact nature of the proposed 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' and potential investors remains unclear. UEFA's firm rejection suggests a deep-seated concern about FIFA's direction and its potential impact on the global football landscape. The organization is rallying support from various stakeholders, urging them to recognize the gravity of the situation and its implications for the future of the sport.

None of us owns football. Football does not belong to FIFA so that it can sell it.

— UEFAUEFA's argument against FIFA's perceived ownership and sale of football's commercial rights.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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