FIFA boss issues $57m threat to nations who oppose his sale plan
Gianni Infantino has given all member associations little time to decide their view on his plan to share stakes in FIFA, warning that some nations may miss out on up to $57 million in funding if they don’t approve his proposal by September 19.
Infantino issued a letter to all federations explaining the benefits of his private investment scheme and the risks that could follow if they are to reject his plans - a new part of the proposal that may sway the initial views of some associations.
Infantino has been in charge of FIFA since 2016 Getty Images
The FIFA boss has made clear that riches of up to $10 billion will be made accessible by January 1, 2027, with $40m in funding set to be offered via his investment plan, with a company founded by Joshua Kushner - the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared - leading the search for investors.
While many have called out Infantino for trying to sell “the soul of football” by inviting in external stakeholders, member associations who do not approve that funding plan could be at risk of being cut out of the funding model all together.
Infantino did make clear in the letter that the decision is in the hand’s of all 211 member associations, before taking to the stand at a press conference to reiterate to the public that his plans are “an opportunity, not an obligation”.
“Fans remain the cornerstone of the beautiful game ... the sport they watch and love will not change,” he said.
“FIFA will continue to govern football without any external interference. The flagship tournaments will always remain.”
While a democratic vote will take place, many online, including UEFA - who governs 55 of the 211 member associations - have pointed out that Infantino’s statement claiming nations could lose funding is a significant threat that should not be overlooked.
England great Gary Neville admitted “it is not surprising any more” to see Infantino act unilaterally, especially after his choices at the World Cup.
“You try to paint a positive picture about football because there is so much to love at games, but then you see some of the things that happen from a governance and leadership perspective,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
Football Australia is still trying to understand exactly what the scheme means for the organisation, revealing they have requested further information to be provided.
“We will only be able to form a position after receiving this information and engaging with further dialogue with our peer member associations and our confederation,” FA wrote in a statement.
“It has fallen well short of the standards that football fans would expect and, to be fair, what anybody would want for the game.”
Spain, the winner’s of the World Cup, fall under UEFA. AP Photo/Adam Hunger
UEFA have threatened to boycott tournaments run by FIFA in protest of the investment plan, with the first event set to be the women’s World Cup in 2027.
The influence of UEFA on world football should not be underestimated, given the organisation is responsible for the majority of the sport’s economic development, and is responsible for all five of the world’s biggest club football leagues.
Without UEFA’s commercial clout, FIFA will struggle to maximise the value of its flagship tournaments like the men’s and women’s World Cups.
While UEFA have not fully decided on a response, the boycott threat has been backed by ex-German player and Bayern Munich’s football manager Max Eberl.
“I honestly support that UEFA has called for a crisis meeting to consider boycotting certain things,” Eberl said at a Bayern Munich press event.
“I am not a fan, I prefer dialogue. But if it comes to that, I would be in favour of us, as Europe, standing up and saying ‘no, we are not going to go along with that - that’s not our sport. This is not what we want.’
“As a child of football that is now working in the business, I’m disgusted.
“I have the feeling FIFA is only there to make profit now. It feels as though the only goal is to make money at every turn.”
While Infantino will have to wait 51 days to see if his plan is approved, the Swiss sports administrator will also be shoring up support for re-election as the FIFA president at next March’s election.
As it has always been, FIFA presidents are only eligible to serve three four-year terms in world football’s top job.
While Infantino has been in the top job for 10 years, he is eligible to run for what some would deem to be a fourth term due to his initial appointment being made as a result of controversial ex-president Sepp Blatter’s decision to stand down. Those three years Infantino served after Blatter’s departure therefore don’t count.
In both 2019 and 2023, Infantino was unopposed in his election campaigns.
If he is re-elected in March, he will not be able to run again in the 2031 election.
