By Jose Raymond
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under fire across the footballing world after the revelation of his plan to launch a private subsidiary with links to US President Donald Trump to exploit the commercial benefits of the World Cup.
He said it was “an opportunity but not an obligation” and argued that too little of football’s commercial value reached the parts of the game that needs it most.
FIFA said on 29 July that it would retain a majority share in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) but hoped to raise US$4.2 billion (S$5.4 billion) by “carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests”.
Various media outlets reported on that Infantino had sent a letter to FIFA’s member associations saying they will each receive US$40 million if they back the plan – but they must sign up by 19 September.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) would have also received the said note from Infantino.
But there has not been any public statement from the FAS as at 31 July.
Infantino said in response to the global outrage that the proposal “is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation.”
But reactions across the footballing world have been unanimous in slamming Infantino.
UEFA, said the plan “crosses a line”.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell,” said the European football body.
The European Union responded by saying “Hands off our game” as Glenn Micallef, the EU commissioner for Sport, posted on X.
CONCACAF, the body which governs North and Central American football, said it was “deeply concerned by the lack of due process”.
In Asia, the Asian Football Confederation said it was “disappointed” it had not been consulted.
Even United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham posted a response and said the World Cup is not anyone’s to sell.
“Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out,” said the UK Prime Minister
News reports also indicate that even Vice-Presidents of FIFA were unaware of the plan.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Wouldn’t an additional US$40 million for the FAS help the sport?
Yes, but then, what will be the consequence if this money-grabbing exercise?
Investors will seek returns on their investments and how this impacts the fans would be higher costs for tickets at World Cup matches, higher costs for broadcast of World Cup and possibly more hydration breaks just so more commercials can be aired.
The FAS should make public what is their position on this matter and how they will respond by 19 September to this proposal by Infantino.
Fans around the world should let their voices be heard.
Football should not be sold to the highest bidder. The World Cup is not FIFA”s to sell.
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