The Football Association of England and the French Football Federation have publicly criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in the organization's commercial assets. Both federations confirmed they were unaware of the plans until recently and have expressed significant opposition to the initiative.
Reports indicate that Infantino has set a September 19 deadline for national football associations to support the sale of minority, non-controlling stakes in the "Football Forward Enterprise." This entity manages FIFA’s commercial rights, including broadcasting, sponsorships, ticketing, and licensing. The objective behind the proposal is to generate $4.2 billion, with FIFA claiming the plan could help member associations secure over $10 billion during the next four-year World Cup period. To proceed, FIFA requires approval from more than 50% of its member associations.
The English FA issued a formal statement on Wednesday, July 29, expressing deep concern regarding the lack of process and governance surrounding the proposal. The association stated, "We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached. Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point." The FA added that they intend to provide further comment once FIFA shares the proposal in a transparent manner.
Philippe Hamidou Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, echoed these sentiments, noting his surprise at learning of such a major project through a press release. Diallo highlighted that the proposal to bring investment funds into a commercial company alongside FIFA raises fundamental questions that members have not been able to discuss or review. He confirmed plans to consult with his counterparts from other major European federations and the president of UEFA to determine a unified approach to the proposal.
This dispute follows a successful summer for both nations, as England and France reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup. In the tournament's third-place playoff, England secured a 6-4 victory over the 2018 champions in a high-scoring match that saw England take a 4-0 lead by halftime before a second-half resurgence from the French side.
