Die-hard England fans threaten World Cup boycott as Fifa plans spark backlash The FA said it was ‘deeply concerned’ by Fifa’s proposals. Evening Standard · Jul 29
'Hands off our game': EU slams FIFA for selling a stake in the World Cup EU Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef backs the European Football Association in criticising the plan, which involves Trump’s affinal relative Joshua Kushner, while European countries are reportedly weighing a boycott. Euronews · Jul 29
FIFA's Infantino sets deadline for $20M offer to members in Kushner-backed World Cup investor plan FIFA President Gianni Infantino has set a Sept. 19 deadline for the 211 member federations to accept a $20 million offer to each in his controversial plan to sell stakes in a subsidiary running the World Cup The Independent UK · Jul 29
Gianni Infantino gives ultimatum to nations over Fifa’s World Cup sell-off proposal IN FULL The Independent UK · Jul 29
Gianni Infantino tells countries to back Fifa’s World Cup plan – or miss out on $30m Infantino will use a ‘one-off’ payment of $20m to tempt Fifa’s 211 member associations into backing his plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other major tournaments to external investors The Independent UK · Jul 29
Uefa has to show backbone: concrete action can make Fifa’s World Cup plans untenable European football has shown an increased willingness to talk tough with Fifa but words can only be wielded so many times The Guardian - UK · Jul 29
FA blindsided by Fifa boss Gianni Infantino’s bid to sell World Cup stake IN FULL The Independent UK · Jul 29
English FA ‘deeply concerned’ by Fifa plan to sell off the World Cup Gianni Infantino stunned the football world when plans emerged to sell off parts of the World Cup to private investors, led by the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law The Independent UK · Jul 29
Jared Kushner's Brother Is Poised to Lead a $20 Billion FIFA World Cup Venture That Has UEFA Furious: 'None of Us Are the Owners of Football...' FIFA’s plan to build a $20 billion commercial company around the World Cup has pulled the Kushner family into a political controversy, with Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal expected to lead a private investor group and UEFA warning that football’s "soul and governance" are not for sale. Benzinga · Jul 29
Concacaf and AFC stunned by Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell off World Cup to investors The governing bodies for North America and Asian are ‘deeply concerned’ by Fifa’s plan to sell lucrative stakes in its tournaments The Independent UK · Jul 29
FIFA's $20 billion PE plan sets up fresh Europe showdown FIFA plans a twenty billion dollar subsidiary for World Cup events. This move offers external investors up to twenty percent stakes. UEFA criticizes this proposal, calling it a sale of the game's soul. FIFA aims to democratize sport by sharing financial benefits widely. This initiative seeks to shift football's financial… The Economic Times · Jul 29
Uefa accuses Fifa of ‘enriching themselves and their friends’ over World Cup sell-off The Football Association has joined Uefa in condemning Fifa’s plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors The Guardian - UK · Jul 29
Will there be a World Cup boycott? Infantino’s deal with Trump empire pushes football to the brink IN FOCUS: Senior figures in European football will discuss a boycott after Gianni Infantino revealed plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup, reports Miguel Delaney, but amid the outrage, will the federations have the courage to front up to Fifa? The Independent UK · Jul 29
What we know about Fifa’s World Cup sell-off, Trump’s role in it, and threat of boycott Fifa have announced plans to open the World Cup to private investment, with a venture capital firm founded by the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law set to lead the investor group The Independent UK · Jul 29
International Business Times UK · Jul 29 UEFA Warns FIFA Is 'Selling' the World Cup as $20 Billion Kushner-Linked Plan Sparks Boycott Threat FIFA's $20 billion plan to create a commercial subsidiary for World Cup operations faces strong opposition from UEFA, raising concerns over governance and potential changes to the tournament's structure.
International Business Times UK · Jul 29 FIFA's Controversial $20bn Deal: Joshua Kushner Firm Eyed as Investor in World Cup Rights Sale FIFA plans a $20bn commercial venture, with Thrive Eternal as a lead investor, sparking UEFA criticism over transparency and control of football's future
Euronews · Jul 29 UEFA issues angry response to FIFA boss Infantino's plan to sell World Cup stakes to investors The new initiative is the second time Infantino has attempted to privatise football assets, with the first being in 2018 where the FIFA chief proposed a multi-billion dollar project to create more global competitions, funded by private investors.
France 24 · Jul 29 UEFA accuses FIFA of 'selling football' with World Cup investment plan The proposal to spin off the commercial rights to the World Cup and other competitions into a semi-private company has triggered a fierce backlash, with critics warning it could create conflicts between investors' profit motives and FIFA's role as the sport's regulator.
Fortune · Jul 28 FIFA’s plan to raise billions from private investors is sparking a backlash: Insider says Europe is angry because it changes soccer’s balance of power Thrive Capital’s Joshua Kushner and former Liberty Media boss Greg Maffei are involved in the controversial bid to buy a stake in a subsidiary of the nonprofit that oversees the beloved World Cup soccer tournament.
International Business Times UK · Jul 28 Sepp Blatter Slams Gianni Infantino for Selling FIFA to Investors Close to Donald Trump Inner Circle Sepp Blatter says FIFA's close Trump–Infantino ties have 'reached a financial dimension' damaging football, warning: 'No one has the right to sell our game.'
The Independent UK · Jul 28 Andy Burnham hits out at Fifa over plan to sell stakes in the World Cup Mr Burnham has joined criticism of the proposal, writing the ‘World Cup is not a product’
The Guardian - UK · Jul 28 Is the World Cup for sale? Here’s what Fifa’s plans mean and what happens next Gianni Infantino is under fire from Uefa over plans to sell off commercial rights for the tournament but he says they are ‘about the democratisation of football worldwide’
Sports Illustrated · Jul 28 Explaining FIFA President’s Plan to Sell the World Cup: Millions to Make and Trump Links The world’s soccer associations have to decide between selling the soul of the sport or making $20 million.
The Independent UK · Jul 28 Fifa’s shameful scheme to sell off World Cup is gravest existential threat to football yet – but will anyone stop it? Fifa’s latest money-spinning wheeze, to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investment, has been met with horror. Now its member associations must make a stand against ‘football’s nuclear bomb’, writes Miguel Delaney
Evening Standard · Jul 28 UEFA issues stunning statement after FIFA outlines controversial private company plan Opinion-dividing president Gianni Infantino is running for another term in office