World football governing body FIFA is considering the creation of a US$20bn (£16bn) commercial business that would manage its core products and importantly that include the Fifa World Cup with options including the sale of as much as 20% to outside investors.
In response, UEFA, European football’s governing body, has hit out at the plans and is urging others to consider whether they want their football to come from companies rather than football associations.
News agency Reuters reported this week that new entity would control the commercial assets and revenue streams of FIFA “flagship competitions”, that will open up Fifa’s powerful, high-value business of global football to outside investors.
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It is being positioned as an effort to leverage capital for growth in FIFA’s commercial affairs.
However, UEFA have opposed the proposals, saying that involving external commercial parties in ‘big’ competitions risks profits taking precedent over the “game.” Uefa is understood to be afraid of the changes to Fifa’s governance and the decreased control of “member associations” over major tournaments.
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Such proposals comes after a series of clashes between FIFA and the world’s major football organisations, who have feuded in recent years over competition format, fixture scheduling, television rights, and expanding international tournaments.
