Kathmandu— Gianni Infantino's plan to create a private company to manage FIFA's commercial operations and distribute funds to member associations has faced widespread opposition from major football organizations. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the Asian Football Conference (AFC) have all rejected the proposal, citing concerns over governance and transparency.

Proposal Details

The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) was proposed to consolidate FIFA's commercial operations, including media rights, sponsorships, licensing, ticketing, and hospitality packages. The plan involved raising US$4.2 billion from private investors for a 20% stake in the new entity, with proceeds intended to fund football development projects worldwide.

Opposition and Criticism

UEFA led the charge against the proposal, stating that the World Cup should not be seen as an investment product. The organization emphasized the importance of maintaining control over FIFA competitions within the football family. CONCACAF echoed similar concerns about lack of due process and proper governance procedures. AFC also expressed serious reservations, noting that broad consensus was necessary for such a significant change.

Internal Fallout

Infantino's proposal faced internal resistance as well. Carlos Cordeiro, FIFA’s senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the plan, calling it “a bad deal for football.” The proposal was criticized for its lack of transparency and oversight, raising questions about who would benefit from such a venture.

Political Repercussions

The controversial nature of Infantino's proposal extended beyond the football community. Members of the US Congress and British political figures expressed concerns over FIFA’s association with the Trump family through Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner and son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.

Outcome and Future

Facing mounting opposition from major football organizations and criticism from political circles, Infantino withdrew the proposal on August 1. UEFA expressed satisfaction with the decision but vowed to review governance processes to prevent similar issues in the future. The question of funding for football development in poorer regions remains unresolved.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.