The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has notably elected not to criticise FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, saying it will “assess and evaluate” the proposals.
There has been outrage across world football after FIFA confirmed the plans on Tuesday.
Under Infantino’s proposed scheme, a company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would be put together to oversee FIFA’s top competitions in the 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 raise the possibility of the World Cup and Club World Cup being held more often than every four years.
FIFA’s 211 member associations would receive a stake that they could either keep or sell to generate income. It is claimed that Infantino, set to be re-elected unopposed until 2031, would be positioned to become commissioner of the company after his final term as president comes to a close. It is expected he could command a salary akin to that of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who earns $64m annually.
A majority stake in the company would be owned by FIFA, with private investors taking on around 20 to 30 per cent and the member nations each receiving a small stake. Joshua Kushner — brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared — is the proposed lead investor.
Infantino subsequently contacted all 211 member associations, giving them extra incentive to back the plan.
He has told the members they will receive $40m (£30m) if they support the proposals, adding that £20m will be immediately available to them on January 1 next year and giving the associations a deadline of September 19 by which to accept to the one-time offer.
European football’s governing body UEFA has vehemently criticised the plans, saying they cross “a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross”. The AFC and CONCACAF have each criticised the lack of proper process, while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said the governing body risks “losing its soul” if the plans are implemented.
However, CAF, which oversees a host of smaller member associations that would stand to be among the biggest beneficiaries from the proposed scheme, responded in a very different way.
A CAF statement read: “The Confederation Africaine de Football (“CAF“) received correspondence today from FIFA on the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, in accordance with the consultation process that is currently underway with FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council.
“As part of this consultation process, the CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will host a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee next week, to inter-alia, assess and evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.
“CAF also encourages its Member Associations to examine the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and participate in the consultation process in accordance with CAF and FIFA’s regulations and established procedures.
“CAF is committed to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, FIFA, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide.”
