CAF will ‘examine and scrutinize’ Infantino’s controversial World Cup proposals
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has notably chosen not to criticize FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell shares of the World Cup to private investors, saying it will “examine and analyze” the proposals.
There was international outrage after FIFA confirmed the plans on Tuesday.
Under Infantino’s proposed plan, a company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would be incorporated to oversee FIFA’s top tournaments in men’s and women’s sports, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. The plan could see Infantino earn tens of millions and increase the chances of the World Cup and Club World Cup being held more often than every four years.
FIFA’s 211 member organizations will receive a stake that they can keep or sell for cash. It is said that Infantino, who will be re-elected without opposition until 2031, will be appointed to the position of commissioner of the company after the end of his last term as president. He is expected to make the same salary as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who earns $64m a year.
The majority stake in the company will belong to FIFA, with private investors taking around 20 to 30 percent and member states each getting a smaller share. Joshua Kushner – the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared – is the proposed investor.
Infantino then contacted all 211 member organizations, encouraging them to support the program.
He told members they would receive $40m (£30m) if they supported the proposals, adding that £20m would be available immediately on January 1 next year and giving organizations a September 19 deadline to accept one offer.
The governing body for football in Europe, UEFA, strongly criticized these plans and said they crossed “a line that the governing bodies of football must never cross”. AFC and CONCACAF criticized the lack of due process, while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the governing body risked “losing its soul” if plans were made.
However, CAF, which oversees a number of smaller member associations that will be among the biggest beneficiaries of the proposed scheme, responded in a very different way.
CAF’s statement reads: “The Confederation Africaine de Football (“CAF”) received letters today from FIFA on the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, in line with the ongoing consultation process with FIFA’s member organizations and the FIFA Council.
“As part of this consultation process, CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will hold a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee next week, to meet, assess and evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise programme.
“CAF also encourages its member Associations to evaluate the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and participate in the consultation process in accordance with CAF and FIFA rules and established procedures.
“CAF is determined to continue dialogue and cooperation with its member associations, FIFA, and other football associations and stakeholders in supporting increased funding and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and around the world.”
