Fifa's chief operating officer has publicly criticised president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors, saying staff were deceived, according to the BBC.
Key facts
- Fifa's chief operating officer has strongly criticised the plan, according to the BBC.
- The criticism centres on president Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in competitions to private investors.
- The executive said staff had been 'deceived' by the plans.
Fifa’s chief operating officer has strongly criticised a plan by president Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the organisation’s competitions to private investors, according to the BBC.
The BBC reports that the executive said staff had been ‘deceived’ by the proposals, a rare instance of public criticism directed at football’s global governing body from within its own senior ranks.
At the centre of the dispute is Infantino’s plan to bring private investment into Fifa competitions by selling stakes in them. Such arrangements would represent a significant shift in how the governing body funds and structures its tournaments.
The strong language attributed to the chief operating officer signals internal tension over the direction of the proposal. The BBC’s report frames the intervention as a notable break with the usual unity presented publicly by Fifa’s leadership.
Fifa oversees international football and its flagship competitions, and any move to introduce private investors into those events would carry implications for how the sport is governed and commercialised worldwide.
Why it matters
Fifa governs global football and its competitions generate enormous revenue, so opening them to private investors could reshape how the sport is funded and controlled. Public criticism from a senior Fifa executive is unusual and points to significant internal disagreement over the organisation's future direction.
Frequently asked questions
What did Fifa's chief operating officer criticise?
According to the BBC, the chief operating officer strongly criticised Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors.
What is the proposed plan?
The plan, attributed to Fifa president Gianni Infantino, involves selling stakes in the organisation's competitions to private investors, according to the BBC.
Why is the criticism significant?
The BBC reports that the executive said staff had been 'deceived' by the plans, which represents a rare public criticism from within Fifa's senior leadership.