FIFA scrap controversial World Cup sell-off as Gianni Infantino issues statement

FIFA have withdrawn their plans for the controversial Forward Enterprise after widespread backlash, with Gianni Infantino issuing a statement clarifying the U-turn.

FIFA announced the plan to “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), with the aim of overseeing the commercial rights for every future tournament.

It was reported that FIFA were planning to raise around £3.1 billion by selling minority, non-controlling shares in FFE, which the organisation valued at around £15 billion.

Infantino even incentivised member associations to accept his proposal, pledging the release of £30 million, with an initial payment of £15 million to be made on January 1, for those who supported the proposal.

Several of football’s governing bodies, including UEFA, issued furious statements, with the European organisation accusing FIFA of using football to “enrich themselves” while making clear that the sport was “not FIFA’s to sell”.

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On Thursday (July 30), UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin chaired a meeting with all 55 European member associations, with all of them, including England, France and Spain, voting unanimously to back a boycott of FIFA competitions, such as the World Cup, if the plans were passed.

The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also rejected the plans.

On Friday, senior FIFA officials made their opposition clear, with Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigning and making clear that he “cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup”.

Gianni Infantino issues statement as FIFA perform FFE U-turn

Later on Friday (July 31), FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, accused Infantino of deceiving staff with his plans, while UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham claimed the Swiss was “the wrong man” to lead global football’s governing body.

At 12:30 am (British Summer Time) on Saturday (August 1), FIFA published a press release containing a statement attributable to Infantino, which confirmed the proposed plans would not proceed.

“The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed,” the statement read.

“And more so, as we said from the outset, to do this only if a majority of the FIFA Member Associations were in support and always subject to a consultation process with them, the FIFA Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders.

“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place. Our purpose has always been - and will always be - to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed. Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that most need our support.”

Where the decision leaves Infantino remains unclear, with the 56-year-old running for re-election in 2027.

Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president, reacted to the withdrawal of the plans with the following statement: “The future of global football must always be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue and respect for the established governance structures of our game.”

Football Australia also welcomed the decision, with its chair, Anter Isaac, saying the principles of football “should never change”.

Isaac said: “Football has never stood still, nor should it. Some principles, however, should never change. Integrity. Independence. Good governance. Transparency. Meaningful consultation. Due process.

“These are not constraints on progress. They are what make lasting progress possible. Ultimately, the strength of football’s institutions depends on the confidence and trust of the global football family. That trust is earned not simply through good decisions, but through the integrity of the processes that lead to them.

“Our attention must now turn to the future.”