By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has now been reported that Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, has written to the 211 member associations informing them that they will each receive the sum of US$40m (around €35 million) if they accept his controversial plan to sell off stakes in the FIFA major football competitions, including the World Cup.
Infantino has set a deadline of 19 September 2026 for acceptance.
FIFA plans to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, and private investors will be able to buy into it.
The plans have been condemned in Europe, Asia and North America.
In fact, UEFA is expected to hold an emergency meeting later this week to discuss their reaction to them, which might include a boycott. Whilst UEFA accounts only for a quarter of the country membership of FIFA, it does, in fact, include most of the world's most successful teams.
The English Football Association has stated that they were completely unaware of the plans and that:
"Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.”
And added that:
"When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear and comment further."
It appears that the plot thickens!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘