FIFA presses on with investor plan talks

Fifa, world football’s governing body, said on Friday it will continue consulting members on a proposal to create a commercial subsidiary open to minority outside investment, after European and Concacaf associations opposed the plan.

European football’s 55 member associations voted on Thursday to boycott World Cups if Fifa proceeded with the proposal, BBC Sport reported in an article by Patrick Jackson. Concacaf, which governs football in North and Central America, said its 41 member associations also “rejected” the plan.

Fifa said its “planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports” and that it would proceed so each member association could vote “based on facts”. It added: “Nobody is selling football.”

The proposal would create Fifa Forward Enterprise, a commercial subsidiary to run Fifa’s main events, including its World Cups. Fifa said it would “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in the new body.

The plan needs approval from Fifa’s 211 members. BBC Sport reported that Fifa president Gianni Infantino needs 106 votes in favour, while Uefa and Concacaf together account for 96 associations that appear set to vote against.

Fifa said it respected “the feedback and concern aired in public” and reaffirmed its commitment to “an open and democratic consultation”. It said FFE was proposed to give all member associations “meaningful ownership” of football’s commercial opportunity in their countries without harming Fifa’s spirit or governance.