\u201cFifa Forward Enterprise, or FFE, is actually a proposal, an offer. It\u2019s part of a democratic process \u2013 a consultation process \u2013 and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation,\u201d Infantino said in the video.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Infantino insisted the proposal was centred on unlocking \u201cpreviously uncaptured commercial value\u201d and was conditional on a democratic vote of Fifa\u2019s 211 member associations and approval by the 38-member Fifa council.<\/p>\n
\u201cCapturing that value requires additional expertise, additional insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would simply commercialise and organise all Fifa-owned competitions along with sponsorship, broadcast, licensing and new ventures for the benefit of Fifa\u2019s 211 member associations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Infantino<\/a> said the game would not change and the fans would be happier.<\/p>\n \u201cFans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The Times \u2013 which broke the original story this week \u2013 reported Infantino, 56, stood to profit from the scheme by becoming commissioner of the FFE after his expected next term expires in 2031. Fifa denied that this had been discussed.<\/p>\n The article also said discussion had started with financial advisers and potential investors. <\/p>\n Those include Thrive capital, an investment company founded and led by Joshua Kushner, brother of US President Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as an arm of JP Morgan Chase, the US bank that attempted to finance the failed breakaway European Super League.<\/p>\n Continental backlash<\/p>\n Uefa, which has regularly criticised Infantino, said the plan \u201ccrosses a line\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe soul and governance of football are not assets to trade \u2013 especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not Fifa\u2019s to sell.\u201d<\/p>\n The European Union made no bones about their disdain for the plan.<\/p>\n \u201cHands off our game,\u201d Glenn Micallef, the EU commissioner for sport, posted on X.<\/p>\n Concacaf, which governs North and Central American football<\/a>, said it was \u201cdeeply concerned by the lack of due process\u201d. <\/p>\n The Asian Football Confederation said it was \u201cdisappointed\u201d it had not been consulted.<\/p>\n Fifa said in an earlier statement that it \u201cwould retain sole control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions\u201d.<\/p>\n It said it believed FFE would achieve an \u201cinitial equity valuation of US$20b [$35b]\u201d.<\/p>\n Fifa said each of its member associations would be given the chance to take a one-off stake of US$20m ($35m) in FFE.<\/p>\n That represents only 0.1% of the total, but would be a significant sum for the leaderships of Fifa\u2019s poorer or smaller members.<\/p>\n In June, ahead of the World Cup<\/a>, Fifa, which folds competition income into revenue for the whole year, anticipated record revenues exceeding US$8b ($13.85b) for 2026.<\/p>\n