Opposition is expanding to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in World Cup revenue to private investors. Multiple outlets report that concerns are spreading across confederations and national soccer bodies as FIFA pushes ahead with the plan. In a letter seen by the Associated Press, Asia’s soccer leadership warns that FIFA’s move could damage the structure of continental football. Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa tells member federations that FIFA’s “unilateral actions” appear to undermine the foundations of continental competitions, and he urges members to consider the risks for their own tournaments.
In Europe, officials are coordinating responses to resist the proposal. Yahoo Sports reports that UEFA is preparing an online meeting of its 55 member national associations to develop a strategy for opposing or mitigating FIFA’s plan. Additional reporting from Canadian outlet Winnipeg Free Press echoes that opposition is growing, highlighting that discussions across regions are becoming more organized as FIFA’s private equity approach faces increasing scrutiny.
