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UEFA Slams FIFA President Infantino's Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท Turkey /Sports

UEFA Slams FIFA President Infantino's Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • UEFA strongly criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino's reported plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
  • The European football body stated that the soul and governance of football are not assets to be traded, especially without financial transparency.
  • UEFA emphasized that no one owns football and it is not FIFA's to sell, warning of a "devastating impact" on the sport.

UEFA has issued a scathing rebuke of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's alleged plan to sell shares of the World Cup to private investors, as reported by The Times. The European football governing body declared that such a move crosses a line that governing institutions should never breach.

"This crosses a line that the governing bodies of football must never cross. UEFA takes this extremely seriously. So does every national football association. So do all stakeholders: leagues, clubs, players, fans, governments, and everyone concerned with the future of the game," UEFA stated. The organization stressed that the "soul and governance of football are not assets to be traded," particularly when there is "zero transparency" regarding financial gains.

This crosses a line that the governing bodies of football must never cross. UEFA takes this extremely seriously. So does every national football association. So do all stakeholders: leagues, clubs, players, fans, governments, and everyone concerned with the future of the game.

โ€” UEFAUEFA's reaction to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's reported plan to sell World Cup stakes.

The report suggests Infantino has held discussions with investors close to the former U.S. administration. The plan reportedly involves creating a new company to manage commercial rights for the World Cup and Club World Cup. FIFA would offer each of its 211 member federations a share worth approximately $20 million, which they could hold or sell for income. Infantino is also rumored to be preparing to lead this new company as "commissioner" after his current presidential term ends.

UEFA's strong reaction highlights deep concerns within European football about the potential commercialization and loss of control over the sport's most prestigious tournaments. The organization firmly asserted, "None of us own football. It is not FIFA's to sell."

The soul and governance of football are not assets to be traded, especially without transparency about the destination of financial gains. None of us own football. It is not FIFA's to sell.

โ€” UEFAUEFA's statement emphasizing the non-commercial nature of football's core elements.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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