Key facts
- Fifa President Gianni Infantino has proposed selling stakes in major competitions.
- Member associations are offered $40m if they back the plan.
- An initial $20m payout is available from January 1 if accepted by September 19.
- UEFA criticized the plan, accusing Fifa of seeking to enrich itself and its associates.
- Fifa plans to create a commercial subsidiary to manage its main events.
- The Football Association expressed concern over the lack of transparency and process.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino has proposed a plan to sell stakes in the organization's major competitions, offering member associations $40 million each if they support the initiative. A deadline of September 19 has been set for federations to accept the proposal to access an initial $20 million payout available from January 1. Fifa intends to establish a commercial subsidiary to manage its key events, including the World Cup, and allow external investors to acquire stakes in it. This plan, which Fifa claims could raise $10 billion, has drawn sharp criticism from UEFA, the governing body for European football. UEFA accused Fifa of prioritizing self-enrichment and that of its associates over the sport's stakeholders. Infantino, however, defended the proposal in a video statement, characterizing it as an "offer, not an obligation" and a "golden opportunity" to boost global football development. The Football Association has also voiced concerns, stating they were unaware of the proposal and lacked sufficient details, highlighting worries about the governance and procedural aspects.