Sepp Blatter criticises Gianni Infantino’s World Cup investment plans
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has launched a blistering attack on Gianni Infantino’s controversial plans to open the commercial future of the World Cup to private investors, insisting “no one has the right to sell our game,” reports BritPanorama.
Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years before departing amid a corruption scandal in 2015, is the latest prominent figure to condemn Infantino’s proposal to create a new commercial entity overseeing the rights to key tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups as well as the Club World Cup.
This week, FIFA announced intentions to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, a distinct business projected to be valued at around $20 billion (£15 billion). More than twenty percent of this valuation could potentially be sold to external investors, raising questions about the future governance of football’s most prestigious competitions.
The plans have faced significant backlash from football’s governing bodies, with Blatter’s critique representing a pivot in the ongoing discourse. On X, he denounced Infantino’s ties with US President Donald Trump, describing them as financially detrimental to football. “The close relationship between the FIFA President and the US President has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football,” Blatter stated.
Blatter’s intervention coincided with the disclosure of a leaked letter from Infantino to FIFA’s 211 member associations. This letter outlined the financial incentives available should the proposal receive approval, with a looming deadline of 53 days for member associations to express their support or dissent.
Infantino advised member associations that endorsing the reforms would unlock a $10 billion funding package starting January 1, 2027, a significant increase from the current FIFA Forward programme’s $2.7 billion. The potential funding accessible to each association could reach up to $40 million during the next financial cycle.
Criticism of the proposal has also emerged from the Football Association, which expressed surprise at the lack of prior knowledge surrounding the initiative. “We were completely unaware of this proposal and no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached,” the FA stated, voicing concerns over the governance processes involved.
Concacaf expressed similar sentiments, stating it became aware of the proposal through media reports, while UEFA issued a strong condemnation, accusing FIFA of attempting to commercialise the governance of football.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” UEFA articulated. “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.”
The controversy has garnered political attention, with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham asserting that the World Cup belongs to the football community and not to investors. Amid growing opposition, Infantino now faces substantial pressure to secure the necessary backing for one of the most controversial reforms of his tenure.
As the stakes rise, the future of FIFA’s governance appears increasingly uncertain, offering a rich narrative for both supporters and critics as the game’s financial landscape transitions under scrutiny.
