Why ‘dictator’ Gianni Infantino’s shameful plot to sell World Cup is destined to succeed despite Uefa’s furious backlash

GIANNI INFANTINO sent shockwaves through football with his latest plan to change the game as we know it. Fifa announced on Tuesday that they are looking into setting up a company which would essentially sell stakes in the World Cup. Fifa chief Gianni Infantino’s plan has sparked furious uproar Credit: Getty Fifa have already ripped up the previous Club World Cup schedule Credit: Getty The outcry from those in football has been great, with Uefa leading the way via a scathing statement. The governing body said the outlandish scheme “crosses a line” and is said to be holding an emergency summit with its members shortly. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The statement concluded: “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. “None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.” Uefa’s feelings are shared by the majority if not all fans – but it is not impossible to imagine these radical new plans being waved through. No one would have predicted a winter World Cup in Qatar such was the initial outrage, yet that was exactly what we got four years ago. Infantino’s power is clear for all to see and other leading names in football are wary of the stranglehold he seemingly has. La Liga president, Javier Tebas, recently told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: “He has the support of the system, of the federations. Most read in Sport “There is no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose. It is a system rotten at its core.” BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Shamed former Fifa boss Sepp Blatter hit out at his former employers earlier this year Credit: Reuters Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter, in an interview with Politico earlier this year, described Fifa as a “dictatorship”. There has been uproar in parts over a number of actions, such as the expanded Club World Cup last year and the fiasco around Folarin Balogun’s suspension reprieve at the World Cup. This latest proposal has been met with backlash, too, and there have been reports European nations could boycott the World Cup. Opposing the plans, UK PM Burnham wrote on X: “Let me say this very directly. “Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine. “The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out. “Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.” Ex-Liverpool player Stan Collymore suggested Uefa should split from Fifa, adding: “Uefa’s power base is 10, 20, 1,000 times more. It’s where all the players, storied clubs, monster crowds, greatest coaches, referees and sheer size of football infrastructure is.” Gary Lineker reposted the BBC’s Instagram story with the comment “Nothing surprises me any more” and a vomit emoji. Infantino, for his part, can point to the huge revenues Fifa have generated since his time at the helm over the past ten years to explain his popularity. And if this latest scheme is to get the green light, it will require the majority support of Fifa’s 211 member associations and the governing body’s Council. There are a few reasons – well, actually, a million or so reasons – why they could be on board with them. Fifa are proposing to create a company – the Fifa Forward Enterprise – that would bring together their commercial rights and tournament delivery. Investors would be able to purchase “minority, non-controlling interests”, but Fifa would crucially retain exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendars and all regulatory and sporting decisions. Folarin Balogun’s red card fiasco sparked the scandal of the World Cup Credit: Getty Infantino would reportedly net millions if the plan goes ahead Credit: Reuters The governing body explained in its statement on Tuesday how all of its 211 member associations would benefit from Fifa’s “football development funding” increasing to over £7.5billion over the next four years. That would manifest itself in the shape of the FIFA Fast Forward Programme, which would allow member associations to unlock additional development funding. All 211 member associations would be invited to participate in the programme, which would give them access to a one-off lump sum each of $20million (£15m). This could be used for projects such as stadiums and national training centres, and other long-term infrastructure. The funding for that would be financed via Fifa’s new company, Fifa Forward Enterprise, and the capital raised from it. Fifa estimates this figure will be $4.2billion (£3.2billion) due to the company being valued at $20bn (£15bn). As well as possible access to a one-off lump sum, Fifa are forecasting member associations’ funding to increase. The upcoming cycle from 2027-30 was budgeted at $8m (£6m) per member association, but Fifa say that would rise to $20m (£15m). It would continue to increase for the next two cycles and the 2035-38 one would see each member association receive $24m (£18m) via Fifa Forward – the governing body’s flagship development programme. Fifa has explained how that money could then be used to support infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots football and the women’s game. Infantino said: “Every Fifa member association, whatever its size, resources, or geographic location will have a voice and the opportunity to determine its own course. “Football has become a truly global game and so the benefits must be felt globally.” Comment now