Reactions continue to emerge following FIFA's plans to sell significant stake in the commercial rights of global tournaments.
European football's governing body, UEFA, has become the only continental federation to strongly oppose the proposal as they call it a fight for the soul of the game.
According to The Times, FIFA is in talks with US investment bank JP Morgan to raise hundreds of millions of dollars from investors by selling commercial rights of the men’s World Cup, the women’s World Cup and the Club World Cup.
The news comes in the wake of a reported record-breaking revenue for FIFA after the successful organisation of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico that lasted 39 days.
What FIFA's Commercial Rights Proposal Means
A new commercial venture will be formed and named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) with American investment company Thrive Capital leading the charge for potential investors.
The FFE will be valued at around $20 billion and it is expected to raise $4.2 billion this year with each FIFA member associations set to benefit at least $20 million for 2027-2030 cycle (up from the budgeted $8million).
The funding for each member association is projected to increase to $22 million for 2031-2034 cycle and $24 million per member association for 2035-2038.
FIFA, however, face an obstacle in the implementation of the plan as they need majority support of the 211 member associations as well as the FIFA Council.
Why UEFA Opposes FIFA's Commercial Rights Plan
UEFA described FIFA’s proposal as "a line that should never be crossed" and they called on every football fan to be concerned.
It was the first time the European body would publicly call out FIFA having recently released a statement following a controversial ruling before the World Cup game between Belgium and the USA.
Their statement titled, UEFA’s statement on the Times article, read: “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."
The protest continued on Wednesday with UEFA alerting the world of FIFA’s plans to force member associations to accept the proposal within a timeframe.
The latest move further raises concerns about transparency in the affairs of the world football governing body.
“Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn,” UEFA statement read.
“This says everything you need to know about this plan. But 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 is time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”
How The Football World Has Reacted
Former FIFA president, Sepp Blatter is among the first key figures to react to the proposed sale of the commercial rights.
Blatter who led FIFA for 17 years, warned that the current relationship between the world football governing body and the United States government could be damaging to the sport.
Blatter tweeted: “The close relationship between the FIFA President and the US President has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football. No one has the right to sell our game.”
In addition, the UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also added his voice to the criticism against the proposed sale of commercial rights to investors.
Burnham who is an Everton supporter, reminded FIFA that the World Cup is not a product and the various global competitions belong to the people who watch and follow them.
“Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors,” Burnham tweeted. “It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.
“The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.
"Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will."
