FIFA has reportedly scrapped its controversial plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors, according to a report. The decision comes after days of intense backlash from European football bodies and internal FIFA staff.
FIFA has canceled its plan to privatize the World Cup and sell it to private investors, according to a report.
The cancellation follows a July 31 report in which FIFA's chief operating officer told the Associated Press that staff were 'deceived' by the sell-off plan and that it 'must not go ahead'. That report was the first indication of internal opposition to the proposal.
The plan had drawn sharp criticism from UEFA, which threatened to boycott the 2030 World Cup, and from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had attempted to frame the proposal as a suggestion rather than a mandate. The reversal is a significant victory for European football bodies and FIFA staff who opposed the privatization.
It is not yet clear whether the cancellation is permanent or what alternatives FIFA may pursue. The organization has not issued an official statement.
3 developments
- DevelopingInfantino pushes back against criticism over 'selling the World Cup' proposal
- StrongUEFA launches unprecedented attack on FIFA's Infantino, threatens 2030 World Cup boycott over privatization plan
- DevelopingUEFA threatens to boycott next World Cup, says competition 'not for sale' — N12 reports
- DevelopingPolitico: European football officials push to replace Infantino with Qatar's Al-Khelaifi as FIFA president
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Open-source intake