Fifa has responded to outrage over its plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors, insisting that "nobody is selling football" as it prepares to push forward with the proposal.
The move has sparked widespread criticism from European football's 55 member associations, who voted on Thursday to boycott World Cups if Fifa proceeds with the plan. Concacaf, which governs football in North and Central America, has also "rejected" the plan.
Fifa said in a statement that its planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. It will continue with the process, ensuring that each member association has the ability to express its vote based on facts.
The plan involves creating a commercial subsidiary to run Fifa's main events, including its World Cups, and allowing external investors to buy minority stakes in it. The new subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), will be invited to make minority, non-controlling investments.
The plan needs to be passed by a vote of Fifa's 211 members, with Infantino requiring 106 votes in favour for it to go through. Uefa and Concacaf members combined make up 96 associations, who appear set to vote against.
Fifa's statement on Friday morning said: "We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation." The statement continued: "FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself."
The proposal has been met with fierce resistance, with many questioning the motives behind the move. Infantino's decision to push forward with the plan despite the backlash has sparked concerns about the future of the sport.
The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, with many member associations yet to make their positions clear. If the proposal is passed, it could pave the way for private investment in Fifa's competitions, potentially altering the course of the sport.
Fifa's next move is expected to be a crucial one, with the consultation process set to continue in the coming weeks. The outcome of the vote will have far-reaching implications for the sport, and the world will be watching to see how it unfolds.
Source: Yahoo Sports