FIFA Faces Fresh Transparency Calls After World Cup Plan Reversal
At a glance
- FIFA scrapped its plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights.
- The decision followed fierce backlash and calls for greater transparency.
- Questions are now being raised about President Infantino's leadership.
Story so far
FIFA had proposed a plan to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling a stake in a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would run events like the World Cup. This plan, valued at $20 billion, was met with fierce backlash from regional confederations, including UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, who criticized the lack of consultation and the idea of treating the World Cup as an investment product. A senior adviser also resigned in protest. Consequently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the scrapping of the plan, citing insufficient consensus and division within the global game.
Latest development
Following the withdrawal of the World Cup sell-off plan, FIFA is now facing renewed calls for transparency, with officials demanding greater oversight of decisions and questions being raised about President Gianni Infantino’s leadership style.
Latest updates
Following the withdrawal of the World Cup sell-off plan, FIFA is now facing renewed calls for transparency. The swift reversal has also exposed growing unease within world football regarding President Gianni Infantino’s leadership style, with officials demanding greater oversight of decisions. This backlash has raised questions about Infantino’s political capital as he prepares to seek another term. Regional confederations had previously complained about not being consulted on the plan.
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