World Cup: FIFA chief Giovanni Infantino offers £30m incentive for members to back controversial investment plan

FIFA has announced plans, subject to approval, to sell a small stake in a new commercial company

Gianni Infantino has given football associations until September 19 to back his plan to sell off part of FIFA to private investors with a £30.1m ($40m) incentive to accept, a letter has revealed.

FIFA announced on Tuesday that it was seeking to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would bring together the sale of FIFA’s commercial rights – including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing – with the operational delivery of its tournaments.

Under the proposal, FIFA would raise up to £3.1bn ($4.2bn) from external investors by selling minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE, which it says would be valued at around £15bn ($20bn).

The governing body says its plans – which need approval from member associations – could deliver more than £7.53bn ($10bn) in “football development funding” over the next four years.

The FIFA president, in correspondence sent only to the 211 member associations after his secret plans were leaked and met with fierce opposition from UEFA, raised the subject of finances that would be available from January.

He warned that countries will have access to much less cash for development projects, grassroots football and national teams if they do not back selling off more than 20 per cent of a new commercial spin-off to oversee World Cups.

Infantino said the launch of FFE needs more than 50 per cent of members to back the plans, along with his ruling council.

He wrote: “Should neither condition be satisfied, FIFA will continue as planned with the Forward Programme 4.0 … meaning approximately £7.5m ($10m) per MA [member association] for the next cycle.”

Infantino raised the prospect that associations that do not back his plans could miss out on the cash if the majority of the world endorses the venture.

He wrote: “A singular and unique funding opportunity only for those Member Associations who wish to participate, with their decision to be made by September 19 2026 so we can plan ahead and with funds to be available immediately as of January 1 2027.”

The letter raises the financial stakes, with FIFA previously saying on Tuesday that the new venture would provide access to funding of £15m ($20m) from 2027 to 2030 – a figure that has now doubled.

Infantino wrote: “This entity will be fully focused on one target objective; generating as much value as possible for FIFA’s Member Associations.”

But FIFA has not commented on how much Infantino stands to benefit financially from delivering a £15bn ($20bn) venture – and how he could stay on beyond 2031 when term limits require him to relinquish the presidency if re-elected next year.

Threat of a boycott and ‘deep concern’ from the FA

UEFA, European football’s governing body, issued a furious statement on Tuesday, saying the proposals “crossed a line.”

UEFA nations are now expected to hold an emergency meeting virtually this week and Sky Sports News understands there is a willingness to use the threat of a boycott if Infantino pushes ahead with the plans.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham voiced his criticism on Tuesday evening, saying on X: “Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.”

On Wednesday morning, an FA spokeswoman added: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

“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.

“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 Football Association of Wales (FAW) later said it had “not yet received any substantial details from FIFA concerning the reported proposals.

“Consequently, the FAW is concerned that such matters have become public prior to being shared with FIFA’s Member Associations. We await receipt of FIFA’s full proposal before commenting further on this matter.”

An Irish FA spokesperson said: “Like others, we have yet to receive any meaningful detail on these proposals. From what we have seen so far, we have questions about both the way it has emerged and the issues it raises.

“Once FIFA provides the full proposal, as it has indicated it will, we will review it carefully before commenting further.”

‘None of us are the owners of football’

Relations between UEFA and FIFA were already under severe strain, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin not attending the World Cup final in protest at a series of FIFA governance issues, including its handling of the Folarin Balogun case.

But the way the plans emerged, as well as the proposal itself, provoked fresh fury on Tuesday, with FIFA not raising the landmark strategy during meetings with football associations in New York on the eve of the World Cup final.

It is understood the FA was completely unaware of the plans – first reported in the Financial Times and The Times. Sky Sports News has contacted the Scottish FA for comment.

UEFA said in a statement after those reports emerged that the “soul and governance of football are not assets to trade”.

“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.”

UEFA added: “Having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme. FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”

‘Remarkable commercial value’ in football – FIFA explains proposal

FIFA later moved to clarify the proposed new structure, with a spokesperson saying it was beginning a consultation process after receiving a proposal that is currently under review.

FIFA confirmed to Sky Sports News that JP Morgan is acting as financial advisor on the project, with Thrive Capital – whose chief executive is Josh Kushner, brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared – expected to lead the proposed investor group.

Credit: Sky Sports News