FIFA has hit back against its controversial plan to secure private investment in the sport and insisted that football is “not for sale” despite opposition from European governing body UEFA and other stakeholders.
World football chiefs released a statement on Friday following a threat from UEFA to withdraw from future World Cups as part of the opposition to the global game’s intention to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new company which will be able to sell parts of the commercial rights of the game’s biggest competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. “Nobody is selling football,” said FIFA.
“This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”
The organisation insists no decision will be made on the proposal until all 211 national football federations have been consulted and considered the details of the investment.
FIFA also claimed that reports of financial irregularities and “smears” in the media were “damaging” its consultation process with members, but reiterated a desire for an “open and democratic” approach to discussion with every member association involved.
The proposal is expected to bring in as much as $4.2 billion from investors and values the new venture at roughly $20 billion.
Member associations who vote to proceed with the proposal would receive a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027, whilst their allocation from the 2027-2030 funding cycle would be an increased figure of $20 million from $8 million previously.
