FIFA has stressed that football is not for sale.
FIFA had previously announced its intention to launch a company called FIFA Forward Enterprise worth 20 billion US dollars to be invested in with minority non-controlling stakes, which was rejected by the European, North American and Asian confederations. (See details)
A fiery battle.. Everything you want to know about FIFA's new company? And why UEFA rejects it and CAF discusses it
FIFA's statement came via its website
We have listened to the observations presented by the continental confederations regarding the proposal to establish (FIFA Forward Enterprise FFE), and we would like to address the issues that have emerged since the initial media reports on Tuesday.
We respect the opinions and concerns that have been raised publicly, and we reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation.
The consultation process we had planned was disrupted by inaccurate media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that every member association has the ability to express its vote based on the facts.
FFE was proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA member associations have the opportunity to meaningfully own the commercial opportunity of football in their countries, and that this does not come at the expense of the spirit or governance of FIFA or football itself.
No one is selling football. This is not something FIFA could ever consider.
Everyone has the right to express their opposition and request further clarification, but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 member associations around the world. Every member association must be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping its future. These are FIFA's democratic principles.
According to the proposal:
- FFE will transfer the commercial and operational activities of FIFA events to a subsidiary organization that is permanently owned and controlled by FIFA.
- The resulting commercial value will be shared among all 211 member associations, enabling each member association to make meaningful investments in football in their countries.
- Under the proposal, each member association will receive 20 million US dollars in FIFA Forward program funding over the next four years (2027-2030), regardless of their individual support.
- This additional funding will come from the extra revenues generated by FFE through more effective management of FIFA's commercial operations, for the benefit of all member associations.
- The FIFA Fast Forward program is a one-time developmental funding of an additional 20 million US dollars for each member association – and participation will be entirely voluntary for all member associations if the FFE proposal proceeds – and it will be funded through external investment without relinquishing control or changing FIFA's governance structure in any way.
- Without the support of a majority of member associations, FIFA's commercial activities will remain unchanged. FFE will not be established.
These components represent the starting point for the consultation process and are open to discussion as part of that process. This may include approval, rejection, or amendment in whole or individually.
These principles are based on the FFE proposal: unprecedented developmental funding, true global ownership of the commercial opportunities of our sport, and full self-determination through a democratic process for all member associations.
The European confederation had previously announced a boycott of its national teams from FIFA competitions "as long as these proposals remain in place." (See details)
CONCACAF officially rejected FIFA's proposal. (See details)
