England could head a 55-nation boycott of the World Cup over FIFA’s plan to flog it off. European countries are to hold a virtual 999 meeting to discuss their reaction to world football’s governing body’s plan to bring in private investors.
The Football Association will join the emergency summit of UEFA’s 55 member associations to discuss the move. One protest plan is for all European nations to withdraw from the tournament – the biggest in the game since its 1930 launch.
While European countries make up only a quarter of FIFA’s 211 members they are the powerhouse of world football.
Six of the eight quarter-finalists at the World Cup were from the continent – including third-placed England and champions Spain. A World Cup without European teams would slash its value.
FIFA sparked outrage after announcing it intends to ‘invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments’ in a new commercial subsidiary.
The £15bn company FIFA Forward Enterprise – aka FFE – would bring together the sale of the body’s commercial rights including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing with the operational delivery of its tournaments including the World Cup.
FIFA would raise up to £3.1bn by selling off part of it. The proposed investor group would be led by Thrive Eternal, a venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner – the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared.
But the move has sparked outrage across the football world at the prospect of the most prestigious tournament falling into private hands – and potential influence.
A spokesman for European football body UEFA said: “This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every national football association.
“So should every stakeholder – leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade, especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. “None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors.
“It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine. The World Cup is not a product.
“It is the greatest competition in world sport and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has and it always will.”
The Football Association said: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.
“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. When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is offering member nations £30.1m to accept the plan by September 19. He said the move – which needs approval from more than 50% of FIFA’s member associations – could deliver more than £7.53bn in ‘football development funding’ over the next four years.
Infantino warned countries will have access to much less cash for development projects, grassroots football and national teams if they do not back selling off a 20% per cent slice of the commercial spin-off to oversee World Cups.
He also hinted associations that do not back his plans could miss out on the cash if the majority endorse it. FIFA has not commented on how much Infantino stands to benefit financially from delivering the venture.