FIFA criticized the media for “incorrect coverage” of its plans to attract external investors to a new subsidiary, while the European football governing body UEFA led protests against this initiative. FIFA aims to create a subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), valued at 17 billion euros, and sell a 20 percent stake in it to external investors.
UEFA accuses FIFA of putting football up for sale. On Thursday, 55 UEFA member associations unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, if the organization proceeds with its plans. In response, FIFA stated that “no one is selling football. This is not something FIFA has ever considered,” adding that “the planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports.”
Reaction to FIFA’s Proposal
FIFA acknowledged the “feedback and concerns expressed publicly” and reaffirmed its commitment to an “open and democratic consultation process.” The organization will continue consultations to ensure that each member association can “express its opinion based on the facts.” FIFA also emphasized that “everyone has the right to express their opposition and seek further clarification, but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 member associations worldwide.”
FIFA reported that the investment group Thrive Eternal, a fund managed by Thrive Capital, will lead the proposed group of investors. The company Thrive Capital was founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The regional federation for North and Central America and the Caribbean, CONCACAF, rejected the proposal during a meeting on Thursday. However, the organization, which includes 41 associations, did not support UEFA’s call for a boycott.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), comprising 47 associations, warned that FIFA’s proposal would not succeed without the backing of all six regional confederations within the organization’s structure. AFC stated that “the fact that the situation has reached a point where the real possibility of a boycott of the FIFA World Cup has entered the public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game,” adding: “Football should never have been in such a position.”
Source: RFI
