FIFA hits back saying ‘nobody is selling football’ after UEFA threatens to boycott World Cup
FIFA has responded to the mounting backlash to its controversial plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments.
FIFA has insisted ‘nobody is selling football’ and says it will continue with the consultation process for the proposed to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
This morning’s statement comes after UEFA reacted furiously to the plans.
UEFA announced that all of its 55 national football association members, including England, would boycott the 2030 World Cup, and any other competitions, if the controversial plans go ahead.
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And hours later, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) joined the growing backlash, announcing that its 41 member associations have rejected the proposal, saying it was ‘deeply concerned by the lack of due process’.
In a statement released this morning (31 July) FIFA said: “We have heard the feedback provided by the respective confederations in relation to the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and would like to address the issues that have surfaced since the initial media reporting on Tuesday.
“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation.
”Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA has the ability to express its vote based on facts.”
The statement continued: “FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself.
“Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”
It concluded by highlighting the ‘principles’ that ‘underpin the FFE proposal,’ including ‘unprecedented development funding, truly global ownership of the commercial opportunities of our sport, and full self-determination through a democratic process for all MAs.’
Pesident Gianni Infantino has said FFE would help ‘turbocharge’ global football, while FIFA has maintained it would have sole control and ownership of FFE.
UEFA's fiery statement
FIFA’s statement comes after UEFA said its opposition to the plans were ‘]unanimous and unequivocal’
In a defiant and lengthy statement, UEFA said: "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions. UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
"The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
"It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football."
CONCACAF said it had ‘deep concerns’
After details of the plans were shared in the media, CONCACAF said it was ‘deeply concerned by the lack of due process’ and arranged an emergency meeting to talk through the proposals.
In an update following the conclusion of the meeting, CONCACAF said it had rejected the plans.
The statement began: "CONCACAF is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first.
"Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an organisation founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.
“History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.”
It went on to highlight ‘deep concerns’ among the member football associations in regard to the plans.
“During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies,” it went on.
“In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programs following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history was questioned.
“The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance.”
CONCACAF said ‘for these reasons’ it had decided to reject the proposal.
Claire Reid