CONCACAF joins UEFA in criticizing FIFA’s plans to market the World Cup
CONCACAF has become the second body to express concern over Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell parts of FIFA’s biggest tournaments.
FIFA revealed its intention on Tuesday to set up a new commercial company to run its major events, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup, and open it up to foreign investors.
World football’s governing body believes it will grow the sport by making more money but critics worry it will give commercial companies a bigger say in football affairs and increase the frequency of major tournaments and thus reduce quality.
UEFA expressed its opposition yesterday, describing the plans as “crossing a line that football’s governing bodies should not cross,” and CONCACAF followed suit on Wednesday.
A statement from the governing body of football in the Caribbean, North and Central America said in a statement: “CONCACAF was informed of this matter only through media reports, later, and through a press release.
“We are very concerned about the lack of proper procedures.
“We share the disappointment of many in our region and the game that this level of information was drafted and shared publicly before there was any discussion with the relevant governing bodies and stakeholders.
“As leaders within football we are the guardians of the game. Collectively, FIFA, the Confederations and all Member Associations have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport. Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, strong processes and long-term management.
“This is a framework that works under CONCACAF. We hope that everyone in the FIFA family will do the same.”
American officials discussed the FIFA system
Under the plan, FIFA’s 211 member organizations will receive a stake that they can keep or sell to raise money. In addition, 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.
The majority stake in the company will belong to FIFA, with private investors taking around 20 to 30 percent and member states each having a small share. The plan is reported to have already been discussed between FIFA senior officials and potential stakeholders.
People close to the current US presidential administration are reported to have been approached about the plan and, following initial reports, FIFA confirmed to The Times that the plan is being considered, with Joshua Kushner – the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared – a proposed investor. American banking firm JP Morgan has also been floated as an investor.
The Football Association echoed CONCACAF’s concerns about the lack of due process in a statement this morning that read: “We were completely unaware of the proposal and have no concrete information, including what exactly the proposal is, and what conditions are attached.”
“Based on limited information, we are very concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the context and principles involved.
“If this proposal is shared in full and in the transparent manner now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear and comment again.”
UEFA is upset with the FIFA system
UEFA, football’s governing body in Europe, has been heavily critical of Infantino recently. It previously accused him of “crossing the red line” by coming to the “inexplicable and unfair” decision to suspend the ban of United States striker Folarin Balogun in their World Cup last 16 match against Belgium following apparent pressure from Trump.
And it didn’t hold back in criticizing him again on Tuesday.
The statement issued by UEFA reads as follows: “This crosses a line that football governing bodies should not cross.”
“The soul and management of football is not for sale – especially if there is no transparency about who benefits financially. None of us owns football. It is not for FIFA to sell.”
FIFA’s plans raise the possibility of further expansion of the World Cup
The idea of giving shares to member organizations is considered as a way to ensure that the plans receive approval from the FIFA conference and council, since in small countries the shares can be more valuable than the annual income.
FIFA’s revenue for the 2022-26 cycle is expected to be $15 billion, most of which comes from the sale of World Cup TV rights and funds from sponsorships and ticket sales and hospitality.
After expanding the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 participating in this year’s competition, Infantino said this month a proposal from South America to expand to 64 teams will be considered. Given the large sums of money that have flowed into this year’s tournament, private investors will clearly view the World Cup as attractive because of the potential for expansion or regularity of the tournament.
However, one of the biggest winners of the program that will come to fruition will be Infantino. As commissioner or CEO of the new company, he is expected to pay the same annual salary as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who earns about $64m a year. Infantino’s current salary is estimated at $6m.
