Among the most vocal opponents is UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Taking to social media, he wrote: “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.”
PM Burnham is far from alone in his condemnation of FIFA’s latest scheme. European football’s governing body UEFA have also waded into the row. A statement read: “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.”
Meanwhile, the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) issued a damning assessment. A statement released on Tuesday declared: “Many supporters came home from the World Cup believing FIFA couldn’t do much more to ruin everything we love about football’s greatest tournament. Less than two weeks after the final ball was kicked, they’ve shown they can always find a new low.
“Like so many across the game, we are furious. We will examine the detail as it emerges, but we will do everything in our power as fans to fight back against the long line of decisions made that seriously threaten the future of football for short-term commercial gain.
“This cannot become another step in Gianni Infantino’s attempt to reshape football without regard for supporters or the wider game. We fully support UEFA’s statement. Every governing body, national association, league, club, supporter and stakeholder now has a responsibility to stand together and protect the future of our game.”
FIFA have now unveiled their official blueprint. They confirmed plans to boost funding to more than $10 billion (£7.49 billion).
Those funds would subsequently be made accessible to all 211 member associations under FIFA’s umbrella.
FIFA would retain majority ownership of the World Cup, with private investors acquiring between 20 and 30 per cent, while member organisations would secure a modest stake totalling 20 per cent.