Uefa has to show backbone: concrete action can make Fifa’s World Cup plans untenable
The UEFA president is facing pressure to take concrete action against FIFA's controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. European football governing bodies are scrambling to coordinate a response to the $15 billion proposal.
Why it matters
The commercialization of the World Cup represents a significant shift in the governance and financial structure of global football.
The Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, and his Fifa counterpart, Gianni Infantino. Composite: Guardian Design, Getty Images The Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, and his Fifa counterpart, Gianni Infantino. Composite: Guardian Design, Getty Images Uefa Uefa has to show backbone: concrete action can make Fifa’s World Cup plans untenable Nick Ames European football has shown an increased willingness to talk tough with Fifa but words can only be wielded so many times
FA joins criticism of Fifa plan to sell off World Cup stakes
A s the World Cup neared its conclusion, one leading figure in European football pondered how Gianni Infantino might attempt to rinse away the damaging stain of the Folarin Balogun scandal . It all came down to money. “He will just announce more funds for everyone,” was the gist, although the tournament passed without any explanation of how Fifa would carve up its record $15bn (£11.2bn) haul.
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