The Football Association in England declared on Wednesday that it holds significant reservations regarding the transparency and administrative conduct surrounding FIFA’s intent to divest portions of its major tournaments. This response follows FIFA’s disclosure on Tuesday concerning the establishment of a commercial branch tasked with event management—a move rumored to involve connections to the extended family of former US President Donald Trump.
UEFA, the governing body for European football, reacted with strong opposition, asserting that the World Cup should not be viewed as a commodity for sale. The English FA echoed these sentiments, noting they had no prior knowledge of the scheme and lacked specific details on the conditions involved. They emphasized that until FIFA provides a comprehensive and transparent overview, they remain troubled by the current governance standards.
British politician Andy Burnham also criticized the initiative on social media, stating that football is not an item for private investment and that the World Cup represents a global sporting pinnacle rather than a tradeable asset. Meanwhile, FIFA clarified that its proposed entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, would offer minority stakes to long-term partners while maintaining the governing body’s total authority over regulatory and sporting operations.
