“FIFA’s unilateral actions seem to jeopardize the core principles of continental football,” stated Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, in a letter to member federations.
This correspondence, reviewed by the Associated Press, emerged as UEFA, the European soccer governing body, was set to convene an online meeting of its 55 national members to formulate a strategy against Infantino’s proposal.
The FIFA initiative is backed by a New York investment firm, Thrive Eternal, established by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Infantino has maintained close relations with Jared Kushner since the initial Trump administration.
In recent months, Infantino engaged in confidential discussions with potential U.S. investors regarding the establishment of a $20 billion FIFA Forward Enterprise subsidiary, which would see $4.2 billion in private equity. This initiative follows a record-breaking men’s World Cup in North America that significantly boosted FIFA’s earnings to $15 billion over the last four years.
The 55 federations in Europe and 46 in Asia nearing a majority of FIFA’s 211 global member countries have been given a deadline of September 19 by Infantino to agree to a one-time $20 million investment opportunity.
CONCACAF, the North American soccer organization with 35 FIFA members, expressed its “deep concern regarding the absence of due process” in Infantino’s revealed project.
Sheikh Salman, who has been an ally to Infantino since his defeat in the FIFA presidential election in 2016, noted in his letter, “This initiative cannot succeed without backing from all confederations, which is currently lacking.” Infantino informed the 211 members late Tuesday that, in addition to the initial $20 million offer, if they support the establishment of FFE, their promised $10 million in basic funding for the next four years would increase to $20 million. He anticipated that their FIFA funding through 2038 would reach $86 million per federation, up from approximately $36 million.
Infantino is slated for re-election by the 211 FIFA members next March, seeking a fourth and final term until 2031. Soccer officials have indicated that Infantino is considering a commissioner-like role at the FFE spin-off beyond 2031.
‘Infantino’s offer, not obligation’
In a video message published by FIFA on Wednesday, Infantino emphasized that the private equity plan to spin off its revenue-generating operations was “an offer, not an obligation.” “It’s part of a democratic process, a consultation process,” asserted Infantino in the FIFA video, “and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation.” A FIFA presentation for its members, reviewed by the AP, sets a deadline for late October for investors to transfer funds to FIFA.
The document aims to provide the governing body, established by European officials in 1904, with the means to “build the infrastructure and systems for FIFA to lead for another century and beyond.” The target for FFE, planned to be 20% owned by private equity, was designed for “commercial rigor and expertise to better capitalize on broadcast rights, sponsorships, and an expanding tournament portfolio.”
FIFA impact on continental competitions
This expanding portfolio may involve increasing the number of teams in FIFA tournaments such as the World Cup and Club World Cup for both men and women, potentially scheduling them more frequently than every four years, including in the U.S.
The addition of more teams, games, and competitions by FIFA would likely diminish the value, status, and allocation of time in the busy global fixture calendar for events funded and organized by the six continental soccer bodies like UEFA and the AFC. This encompasses World Cup qualifying matches, continental tournaments, and Champions Leagues.
“It’s crucial that the AFC family fully comprehends,” Sheikh Salman stated, “how such an initiative could impact essential aspects of global and Asian football, including the sustainability of confederation and domestic competitions, as well as the organizational and commercial landscapes surrounding the AFC’s activities.” Sheikh Salman also urged members to refrain from taking a stance on Infantino’s monetary proposal until the AFC has formal discussions with FIFA.
Global and European groups representing domestic leagues have also opposed FIFA’s plan, viewing it as a threat to their competitions.
UEFA’s previous boycott threat
UEFA’s options for the meeting on Thursday include the possibility of withdrawing from participating in and hosting FIFA events.
A threatened World Cup boycott from Europe previously helped halt Infantino’s proposal in 2021 to hold World Cups every two years instead of four.
The next FIFA event is in Europe, the Women’s Under-20 World Cup hosted by Poland starting from September 5.
