European football governing body, UEFA, and Andy Burnham have criticised FIFA’s proposal to open some of its commercial and competition operations, including the World Cup, to private investment.
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FIFA, the global football governing body, said it plans to expand football development funding to more than $10bn (£7.5bn) and invite third-party investment in a new venture designed to strengthen its commercial and event operations.
The proposal, first reported by the Financial Times and The Times, would involve the creation of a new subsidiary known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, which FIFA said would consolidate its commercial and event operations.
According to reports, The Times claimed the arrangement could potentially earn FIFA President Gianni Infantino tens of millions of pounds, although FIFA sources told BBC Sport that there had been no discussion about Infantino or anyone else becoming chief executive of the new entity.
In its statement, FIFA said it would invite third parties to make “minority, non-controlling investments” in the new subsidiary. The plan, however, must still be approved by FIFA’s 211 member associations.
If approved, FIFA said Thrive Eternal is expected to lead the proposed investor group for the new company. Thrive is an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, who is linked to US President Donald Trump by marriage.
FIFA said the plan would allow every member association to access up to $20m (£15m) in one-off capital for development.
Infantino defended the proposal, saying FIFA had a responsibility to ensure that all countries benefit from the commercial wealth generated by football.
“Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value — and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game,” Infantino said.
“Our job is to make sure the rest of football grows with it: FIFA exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world,” he added.
UEFA, however, strongly rejected the proposal, warning that it “crosses a line” that football’s governing institutions should not cross.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” UEFA said.
“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder who cares about the future of the game.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
Burnham also condemned the proposal, saying football belongs to fans and communities, not investors.
“Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine,” he wrote on X.
“The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.
“Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”
The Football Association said it was unaware of FIFA’s plan before it was released.
FIFA, in defending the proposal, said it would retain control of FIFA Forward Enterprise and would maintain exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, the international match calendar and all regulatory and sporting decisions.
The governing body also argued that creating a dedicated commercial subsidiary is similar to models used by other sporting bodies, including Premiership Rugby’s 2018 partnership with private equity and investment advisory firm CVC Capital Partners.
However, critics fear the proposed investment structure could increase pressure to expand FIFA competitions in size and frequency, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup, in order to generate more revenue for investors.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire said the proposal represents an opportunity for FIFA to generate more money, adding that many parties within football want “a slice of the action.”
He warned that if the new company is set up, there could be pressure for a 64-team World Cup and possibly a World Cup every two years, because the new structure would need to make money to satisfy shareholders.
The issue is expected to be discussed at the next FIFA Council meeting in the autumn and could also dominate conversations around the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December, which will feature Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.
The proposal may eventually be put to a vote by all 211 FIFA members at the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March.
The development has been described by some football insiders as one of the biggest governance issues since the failed European Super League proposal, with concerns that private investment could intensify the battle for control of the game.
There are also fears that expanding FIFA competitions could add more pressure to an already crowded football calendar, especially if larger tournaments are eventually pushed into winter months.
While the proposed $20m development support may not be significant in wealthy football markets, it could be a major incentive for many smaller football associations around the world, making the plan likely to attract support from several member nations.
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