The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has chosen not to criticize FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, saying it will “evaluate and evaluate” the proposals.
There was outrage across world football afterwards FIFA confirmed these plans Tuesday.
Under the plan proposed by Infantino, a company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would be created to oversee FIFA’s most important competitions in men’s and women’s games, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup. The plan could see Infantino earn tens of millions and increase the possibility of the World Cup and Club World Cup being held more often than every four years.
FIFA’s 211 member associations will receive a stake that they can keep or sell to generate income. Infantino, who is set to be re-elected by acclamation until 2031, will allegedly be in a position to become the company’s commissioner after the end of his final term as president. He is expected to earn a salary similar to that of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who earns $64 million annually.
The majority stake in the company will be owned by FIFA, with private investors getting around 20 to 30 percent, and each member state getting a small stake. Joshua Kushner — brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared — is the proposed lead investor.
Infantino then contacted all 211 member associations, giving them an additional incentive to support the plan.
He has told members they will receive $40m (£30m) if they back the proposals, adding that £20m will be immediately available to them on January 1 next year, and gave the unions a deadline of September 19 to accept the one-off offer.
The European Football Association (UEFA) strongly criticized these plans, saying that they crossed “a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.” Both the AFC and CONCACAF criticized the lack of proper measures, while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the international body risked “losing its soul” if the plans were implemented.
However, the CAF, which oversees a group of small member associations that would be among the biggest beneficiaries of the proposed scheme, responded in a very different way.
A CAF statement read: “The Confederation of African Football (“CAF”) received correspondence today from FIFA regarding the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, in accordance with the consultation process currently underway with FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council.
“As part of this consultation process, CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will host a CAF Executive Committee meeting next week to, among other things, evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.
“CAF also encourages Member Associations to consider the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and participate in the consultation process in accordance with the CAF and FIFA regulations and established procedures.
“CAF is committed to continuing to consult and work with Member Associations, FIFA, other football associations and stakeholders to support increased financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and globally.”
