FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the governing body’s proposal to create a private subsidiary to manage the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and other competitions, insisting that the plan is “an opportunity, not an obligation.”
The proposal, which involves selling stakes in FIFA’s major competitions to private investors, has attracted widespread criticism since it was unveiled, with opponents expressing concerns over the future commercial direction of world football.
Speaking in a video released on Wednesday, Infantino said the proposal is only being presented for consideration and will only move forward with the approval of FIFA’s member associations.
“FIFA Forward Enterprise is actually a proposal, an offer. It’s part of a democratic consultation process and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation,” he said.
According to the FIFA president, the initiative presents a major opportunity to generate more revenue for football development around the world.
“It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation,” Infantino added.
He explained that the proposal is designed to unlock commercial opportunities that have not been fully utilised while ensuring that FIFA maintains control over the governance of the sport.
Infantino said the proposed entity would manage the commercial rights of FIFA-owned competitions, including sponsorship, broadcasting, licensing and new business ventures, with the aim of generating more income for FIFA’s 211 member associations.
“Capturing that value requires additional expertise and insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport,” he said.
The FIFA president also assured football fans that the proposal would not change the game itself but would instead improve football development across different countries.
“Fans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries,” he stated.
Infantino stressed that the proposal remains subject to approval by FIFA’s 211 member associations and the FIFA Council before any final decision can be taken.
His comments come amid growing opposition to the proposal, with UEFA recently warning that it could boycott FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, if the investment plan proceeds.
Source: AFP.
