Premier League chief Richard Masters says Fifa self-destructed over World Cup plan
Premier League CEO Richard Masters has publicly criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino's proposed commercial sell-off of World Cup rights. Masters supports the English FA's withdrawal of support for Infantino, calling for a new, unifying candidate to lead the organization.
Why it matters
The internal conflict within FIFA threatens the stability of global football governance and could lead to significant boycotts from major European confederations.
Figure caption, Fifa shouldn't be selling stake in World Cup - Masters
Sports editor Published 18 August 2026 Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan, saying the organisation has "pressed the self-destruct button" by delivering "a self-inflicted wound".
Infantino is under increasing pressure over his attempt, later abandoned, to create a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including the World Cups, with 21% to be sold off to a private investment company.
Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) was aborted after widespread criticism from several confederations, led by Uefa, which has threatened a boycott of all Fifa competitions.
Masters backed the English Football Association's withdrawal of support for Infantino - and called for a new candidate for the presidency who could unify football.
"This is a problem of Fifa's making," Masters told BBC Sport.
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