FIFA president Gianni Infantino is promoting a controversial plan to partially privatise the world governing body’s commercial operations, opening the door for private investors to gain a stake in revenues linked to competitions such as the World Cup.
The proposal involves creating a new subsidiary to which FIFA’s commercial and competition-related activities would be transferred. Up to 20% of the company could be sold to private investment funds, while FIFA would retain a majority stake and, according to its own position, control over sporting decisions.
Infantino presents the plan as a way to “democratise football” and strengthen FIFA’s 211 national associations. A key incentive for securing their approval is the promise of up to $40 million for each association to fund “football development” projects. The financial argument is particularly compelling for smaller or less wealthy football associations, for which such a sum may exceed several years’ revenue.
Joshua Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, a US special envoy for peace missions and Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
Critics, however, argue that the financial reward offered to the associations amounts to a powerful political incentive in Infantino’s favour. They also contend that selling a stake now could deprive FIFA of a share of its future revenues, as profits would thereafter be divided with private investors rather than remaining entirely within football.
The identities of the investors and advisers linked to the plan have also prompted particular concern. FIFA has been in talks with Thrive Capital, an investment firm led by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner and brother-in-law of Ivanka Trump. The involvement of figures with close family or political ties to Donald Trump has intensified allegations of favouritism and potential conflicts of interest.
UEFA has emerged as the main opponent of the plan, accusing FIFA of seeking to use football to enrich private investors and individuals close to its leadership.
Source: ΒBC
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