Story by Jack Otway
The Football Association has ramped up the pressure on FIFA after revealing it was “completely unaware” of Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to create a privately backed commercial company worth an estimated $20billion (£15bn).
In a strongly-worded statement, the FA criticised the way the plans have been developed, raising serious concerns over FIFA’s governance and suggesting national associations have been left in the dark over one of the biggest commercial changes in the governing body’s history.
The intervention comes as tensions continue to escalate between FIFA and European football following the announcement of plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new commercial vehicle that would see more than 20 per cent of the business sold to external investors.
FIFA hope the move will generate around $4.2bn (£3.16bn), with the money intended to increase financial support for member associations around the world.
But the proposal has sparked fierce opposition across Europe, and the FA has now made clear it was not consulted before details emerged publicly.
“We were completely unaware of this proposal and no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached,” the FA said.
The governing body then went on to question both the process behind the proposal and the principles underpinning it.
“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved,” the statement continued.
“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”
The comments add further momentum to a growing backlash led by UEFA, which has already accused FIFA of crossing a line with plans to invite private investment into the commercial side of world football.
UEFA previously warned: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.
“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.”
The dispute has quickly become one of the biggest governance rows of Infantino’s presidency.
Sky News reported on Tuesday that European football associations are preparing emergency talks over FIFA’s plans, with discussions believed to include the possibility of boycotting a future World Cup should the proposals proceed unchanged.
FIFA insist the project is designed to benefit football globally rather than hand control to investors.
Infantino believes creating a separate commercial company will unlock billions of dollars in additional revenue, allowing FIFA to increase funding distributed to its 211 member associations from $8million to $20million during the 2027-2030 cycle.
Our next stage of growth needs a structure built for it, one where the commercial side of the game operates as a focused, dedicated business, with its value shared more and better all around the world,” Infantino said.
“Every FIFA Member Association should have an opportunity to seek a fair share of the available funding to shape its own future, deciding for itself rather than relying on others.
“This is about the democratisation of football worldwide.”
However, the FA’s response suggests significant questions remain unanswered before England’s governing body is prepared to support the proposal.
