Uefa is preparing to commission an independent valuation of Fifa's World Cup sale plans amid concerns that president Gianni Infantino agreed to sell the tournament's future profits at below the market rate.
Key facts
- Uefa plans to commission an independent valuation of Fifa's World Cup sale plans.
- Concerns centre on Infantino agreeing to sell the tournament's future profits to a private equity firm below market rate.
- Uefa is unmoved by Infantino's written apology to Fifa's 211 member associations.
- Infantino conceded the proposal was 'a mistake.'
- Uefa is continuing to push for Infantino's removal.
Uefa is planning to commission an independent valuation of Fifa’s World Cup sale plans, according to the Guardian, following concerns over how the tournament’s future profits were to be sold. The European governing body’s move signals continued scrutiny of a proposal that has drawn criticism at the highest levels of football administration.
At the heart of the concern is a claim that Fifa president Gianni Infantino agreed to sell the World Cup’s future profits to a private equity firm at below the market rate. The Guardian reports that Uefa intends to examine the deal further, with an independent valuation forming part of that scrutiny.
Infantino issued a written apology to Fifa’s 211 member associations on Tuesday, following crisis talks in Morocco. In that apology, the president conceded the proposal was ‘a mistake.’
However, the Guardian reports that Uefa remains unmoved by the apology. The European body is continuing to push for Infantino’s removal, with its tactics including further scrutiny of the proposal.
The planned independent valuation is central to Uefa’s approach, aimed at establishing whether the tournament’s stakes were indeed set to be sold cheaply. The outcome of that assessment could shape the ongoing dispute between Uefa and Fifa’s leadership.
Why it matters
The World Cup is football's most valuable commercial property, so any deal affecting its future profits has major financial stakes for the sport's governing bodies and member associations. A dispute between Uefa and Fifa's president over how that value is handled could reshape leadership and governance at the top of world football.
Frequently asked questions
What is Uefa planning to do?
According to the Guardian, Uefa is planning to commission an independent valuation of Fifa's World Cup sale plans.
What did Infantino apologise for?
Infantino issued a written apology to Fifa's 211 member associations and conceded that the proposal to sell the World Cup's future profits was 'a mistake.'
Has Uefa accepted the apology?
No. The Guardian reports Uefa is unmoved by the apology and continues to push for Infantino's removal.