Gianni Infantino has offered FIFA member associations a $40m incentive to support a plan to sell off part of the organisation to private investors, with a deadline of September 19.
Key facts
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed selling part of FIFA to private investors.
- Member associations have been offered a $40m (£30.1m) incentive to back the plan.
- The deadline for associations to accept is September 19.
- Some football associations have voiced disapproval of the funding plan.
- An emergency Uefa meeting is expected ahead of the deadline.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has given football associations until September 19 to back his plan to sell off part of the world governing body to private investors, according to a letter revealed by Sky Sports. The proposal comes with a $40m (£30.1m) incentive for associations that agree to accept.
The BBC reports that FIFA has set the 19 September deadline for member associations to access the cash, framing the offer as tied directly to support for the funding plan.
The plans have proven controversial, with the BBC noting that some football associations have voiced their disapproval of the world governing body’s funding proposal.
An emergency Uefa meeting is expected as European football bodies weigh their response to the plan ahead of the deadline, according to the BBC.
The offer represents a significant financial inducement for member associations, coming as FIFA seeks backing for a restructuring that would bring private investment into part of the organisation.
Details of exactly which part of FIFA would be sold, and to whom, were not specified in the sources. The reaction from member associations before the September 19 deadline is likely to shape whether the plan proceeds.
Why it matters
FIFA governs global football and controls major revenue streams, so bringing private investors into the organisation could reshape how the sport is run and funded. The financial incentive and tight deadline raise questions about how member associations will weigh short-term cash against long-term governance concerns.
Frequently asked questions
What is Infantino proposing?
According to Sky Sports, Gianni Infantino has put forward a plan to sell off part of FIFA to private investors.
How much is the incentive and what is the deadline?
FIFA is offering a $40m (£30.1m) incentive to member associations that accept, with a deadline of September 19, according to Sky Sports and the BBC.
How have football associations reacted?
The BBC reports that some football associations have voiced disapproval of the funding plan, with an emergency Uefa meeting expected ahead of the deadline.