FIFA to Share World Cup Sell-Off Plan Documents with Council Members
FIFA will provide documents related to President Gianni Infantino's aborted plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, but only to council members under strict confidentiality.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) will not make public the details of President Gianni Infantino's canceled plan to sell stakes in future World Cups to private investors. However, members of the FIFA Council will be granted access to these documents.
Reports in the British media indicate that members of the FIFA Council, the main decision-making body of world football, will be given access to "key documents" concerning the proposal, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise. This move comes after UEFA, European football's governing body, set a deadline for FIFA to release details and answer questions about how the proposal came about.
Highlights
- FIFA will open documents related to its aborted World Cup sell-off plan to Council members.
- The documents can only be viewed in person in Zurich under strict confidentiality protocols.
- UEFA had set a deadline for FIFA to disclose details about the $4.2 billion scheme.
- The plan was dropped in July following a widespread backlash.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized for the proposal but provided no details.
Details
Each of the 37 members of the FIFA Council will be required to register for an in-person appointment in Zurich, Switzerland, to view selected paperwork. This is part of the strict protocols designed to maintain the confidentiality of the documents. UEFA had requested written questions from council members after Infantino apologized for the proposal but failed to provide specific details on its formation.
This $4.2 billion plan faced significant global opposition and was ultimately shelved in July. UEFA had been demanding information from FIFA regarding the plan's origins and who approved it. These developments coincide with UEFA's efforts to remove Infantino before or during the FIFA presidential election on March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. Infantino, who was elected in 2016, is seeking a fourth term through 2031.
Why it matters
This situation highlights how FIFA is addressing pressures for transparency and reveals internal tensions within football's highest governing body. The limited access to documents, under specific conditions, raises questions about whether full clarity will be provided regarding the processes and decisions behind the plan. It also underscores the influence and strength of UEFA's opposition to Infantino.