Scottish Football Association chiefs to join emergency meeting on Infantino's FIFA World Cup sell-off plan

The Scottish Football Association is set to outline its stance on FIFA’s proposal to sell off stakes in its major competitions, including the World Cup.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and President Mike Mulraney will join an emergency meeting on Thursday called by European football’s governing body UEFA about the controversial plans.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says its 211 member associations will receive 40m US dollars (£30m) under plans to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, but has set a September 19 deadline if they want to access an initial $20m (£15m).

Infantino has made it clear to the associations that if they reject the plan their earnings will be $2.7bn – almost 75% less.

What is FIFA proposing?

Football’s world governing body said on Tuesday it was seeking to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it revealed would be responsible for bringing together the sale of FIFA’s commercial rights with the operational delivery of its tournaments.

The creation of the company, FIFA said, was subject to approval from national associations and the FIFA Council.

FIFA said the creation of FFE would lead to a significant increase in football development funding to national associations and bring FIFA’s total planned spending on development to more than 10 billion US dollars (£7.5bn) over the next four years.

FIFA said, if the proposal was given the green light, the plan was to “carefully select long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests in FFE”. It revealed Thrive Eternal, a company launched in April by Joshua Kushner, the brother of President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, would lead the proposed investor group for FFE.

PM and member associations voice concerns

The Football Association in England and Prime Minister Andy Burnham are among those to have voiced concerns about the proposals.

UEFA launched a fresh attack on the plan on Wednesday, saying in a statement: “Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off pay out offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan.

“But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme.

“FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly.

“It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”

UEFA’s 55 associations will meet on Thursday to discuss FIFA’s proposed sale of equity to outside investors and the SFA duo of Maxwell and Mulraney will be among the voices around the table.

Mulraney currently heads up FIFA’s financial committee as its chairman.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell (L) and SFA president Mike Mulraney. SNS Group

Football governing bodies in Wales and Northern Ireland also said they had been kept in the dark over FIFA’s plan.

Meanwhile, the FA said in a statement: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.

“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”

European Leagues firmly reject proposal

The European Leagues, which represent professional football leagues across Europe, including the Premier League, EFL and Scottish Premier League, firmly rejected the FIFA proposal after meeting virtually on Wednesday.

European Leagues Board president Claudius Schafer said: “FIFA’s latest proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup would give private investors a permanent claim on football tomorrow.

“This would put at risk the foundations on which football has developed and prospered for generations.

“Responsible football leaders have a duty to stand together in opposing this proposal not only for today’s game, but for future generations of players and supporters, ensuring we pass on a sport that remains healthy, sustainable and true to the values that have turned it into world’s game.”

CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation both expressed disappointment that they had not been consulted on the proposal.

A statement from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football said: “CONCACAF was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release. We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process.

“We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.

“Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship.”

The AFC said: “We were not consulted on the proposal and are disappointed that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it through the appropriate and established governance channels.”

Czech support for plan

However, Czech Republic FA president David Trunda saying he could see the “positive impact” of Infantino’s plan.

Trunda told Sky News: “I can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football from working in close co-operation with Gianni Infantino and his team.

“I was elected a little more than a year ago and for me personally all the projects I have experienced in co-operation with FIFA have been very positive for the development of European football.

“Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of FIFA’s intentions.”