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FIFA Not 'Selling Football', Will Proceed With Consultation Process Over Stake Sale
FIFA says the plan could raise up to $4.2 billion and would give each of its 211 member associations more funding if approved.
On Friday, FIFA defended its proposed World Cup private equity venture, declaring "nobody is selling football" while blaming "erroneous reporting in the media" for intense public outcry.
FIFA President Infantino's proposal, revealed on Tuesday, involves spinning off commercial operations into a $20 billion subsidiary called FFE, with 20% owned by private investors.
European nations agreed yesterday to boycott FIFA competitions, with the European soccer body stating "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions." CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also rejected the plan.
Offering to double basic funding from $10 million to $20 million for four years, Infantino wrote on Tuesday to the 211 member associations, with approval required by mid-September.
The Under-20 World Cup begins Sept 5 in Poland, while FIFA faces a Nov 23 decision on the 2035 Women's World Cup host, where British federations are the only bidders.
The FIFA after the UEFA threat of boycotting the world championships: "We respect comments and concerns, but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 affiliated federations"
"No one is selling football," writes the international governing body, while European nations have announced that they will boycott future competitions, including World Cups, if the project is not abandoned.