The 2026 World Cup finals have been generally viewed as an overall success, despite the best efforts of Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump.
Maybe all too predictably we haven’t had to wait long for the next scandalous efforts to ruin the World Cup.
Gianni Infantino now planning to sell off part of FIFA to private investors.
FIFA have confirmed that the lead investor group is proposed to be Thrive Eternal. Its CEO is Josh Kushner, whose brother, Jared, is Trump’s son-in-law.
What a surprise…
UEFA nations are holding an emergency meeting this week to discuss how to oppose this latest move from Gianni Infantino.
Sky News reporting that: ‘It was only after UEFA went public with concerns about plans it was hearing that FIFA confirmed its president Infantino wants to launch a subsidiary worth $20bn (£15bn) and sell off more than 20% of the new FIFA Forward Enterprise by raising $4.2bn (£3.16bn). It’s understood the Football Association was completely unaware of the plans before Tuesday’s rushed announcement by FIFA. FIFA did not raise the landmark strategy during meetings with football associations in New York on the eve of the World Cup final. The plans and way they have emerged provoked renewed fury within UEFA at how Infantino is running FIFA.’
It is quite incredible that FIFA managed to find somebody who is even worse than Sepp Blatter. Let alone the fact that Gianni Infantino appears to be a thousand times worse than Blatter AND makes such blatant decisions to push his own personal agenda.
UEFA have said in a statement: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. 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.”
There is talk of a willingness amongst European nations to use the ultimate threat of boycotting the World Cup if Gianni Infantino does not back down.
Sky News reporting: ‘It was only last month that FIFA was accused by UEFA during the World Cup of damaging the integrity of football by lifting the immediate suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun following direct pleas from US President Donald Trump.’
What I can never understand is how and why an organisation like FIFA hands what feels like total power to one person, Blatter was appalling and now Infantino so much worse. It feels a bit like the total power that a President of the United States appears to have…
Why is there not a very public and accountable committee seen to make FIFA decisions, rather than handing what appears total control to one person?
Sky News going on to say: ‘Infantino responded to UEFA’s criticism on Tuesday by framing the sell-off around raising more cash for member associations to invest in football. From 2027 to 2030, they would have access to $20m rather than $8m to spend on infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions and grassroots development.’
Gianni Infantino: “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. 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.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham spelling it out: “The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.”
Sky News detailing: ‘FIFA did not immediately comment on the bonuses that Infantino could receive for advancing plans worth $20bn. Current term limits mean he would have to relinquish the FIFA presidency in 2031 if re-elected next year after first succeeding the disgraced Sepp Blatter in 2016. But it’s understood Infantino could move into a more lucrative role overseeing the World Cup if the spin-off is approved.’
Fans are patronised by all, told that football belongs to the supporters. Reality is though that the likes of the Premier League, UEFA and FIFA are the ones who own and run football, fans without any real say.