Arabic version: فيفا تدافع عن مقترح الاستثمار في كأس العالم

According to BBC News, Fifa has said “nobody is selling football” as it continues consultation on a proposal to allow private investors to take minority stakes in a commercial subsidiary running its major events, including the World Cup.

Fifa said the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise would invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments. It said the structure was intended to give member associations “meaningful ownership” of football’s commercial opportunity in their countries, without affecting the sport’s governance or spirit.

The plan has prompted opposition from Uefa and Concacaf. Uefa, whose 55 members voted to boycott World Cups if the proposal proceeds, said the tournament “cannot be treated as an investment product”. Concacaf said its 41 member associations rejected the proposal, citing concerns over due process and the deadline.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino would need support from 106 of Fifa’s 211 members for the proposal to pass. Uefa and Concacaf members account for 90 votes combined, although six Concacaf members are not Fifa members. Fifa said consultation had been disrupted by incorrect media reports and pledged an open, democratic process.

Infantino previously told members they could receive $40m if they backed the proposal, with a 19 September deadline to accept the plans in order to access an initial $20m. Fifa said its tournaments could deliver an estimated increased pay-out of 24m euros per member association in the 2035-2039 cycle.