FIFA wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its major events, including the World Cup, and open it up to external investment. The proposal, released on Tuesday after reports first appeared in the Financial Times and The Times, has sparked widespread concern that private investors could gain too much influence over those competitions — potentially driving a massive expansion of the men’s and women’s World Cup and Club World Cup.
Senior figures within the game were kept in the dark. At least two of FIFA’s eight vice-presidents were not consulted about the plans, and the FA said it was caught completely off guard. “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is and what conditions are attached,” an FA spokeswoman said. “Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.”
UEFA moved swiftly, condemning the plans before they had even been published on Tuesday and declaring that FIFA had “crossed a line”. A virtual meeting has been arranged to allow stakeholders to work out a plan of action, and given the strength of feeling, the possibility of a boycott is expected to be raised.
Concacaf, which covers North and Central America and hosted this summer’s World Cup, has added its voice to the criticism. “We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process,” the confederation said. “We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.”
Concacaf stressed that FIFA, the confederations and every member association share a collective responsibility to act in the best interests of the sport. The FA, meanwhile, said it would comment further only once the proposal is shared “in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA”.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
