Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly set a deadline for Member Associations to get behind his plan to set up a private company to run competitions including the World Cup.FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) will be worth $20 billion, with $4 billion available to outside investors. Joshua Kushner, the brother of Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is understood to be the lead investor.Infantinos relationship with Trump was a stain on this summers World Cup and makes his brazen scheme to convert every last scrap of footballs flagship into profit is made all the more problematic.Infantinos letter to FIFA Member AssociationsUEFA, footballs European confederation, seldom misses an opportunity to pick a fight with FIFA. In a statement issued on Tuesday, it pointed out that Infantinos plan crosses a line and that the World Cup is not Infantinos to sell.The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially, said UEFA, whose member nations are understood to be considering a World Cup boycott in response. You may like Gianni Infantino makes 'personal' World Cup final ticket offer UEFA boycotting the World Cup: Everything you need to know about football's new war Who is Gianni Infantino? Everything you need to know about the FIFA President A World Cup without UEFA participation would be worthless but Infantinos financial leverage at the federation level is a genuine threat to footballs global integrity.The continued presidency of the FIFA boss has the backing of more than 200 Member Associations, with entire blocs motivated by boosted revenue and the growth of the mens World Cup.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.In a letter to football associations reported by Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris, Infantino has given Member Associations a deadline of September 19 to back the scheme, with $40 million not-so-subtly on offer for those that do.Mr Infantino warned they would have much less cash for development, grassroots football and national teams if they didn't support his plan, reports Sky News.He said the launch of FFE needed the backing of its ruling council and more than 50% of its members. What to read next FIFA president Gianni Infantino is Donald Trumps choice for key United Nations role How many matches has Gianni Infantino attended at the 2026 World Cup? Will Donald Trump be at the World Cup final and will he present the trophy? In his letter, the [Swiss] called it a "singular and unique funding opportunity only for those Member Associations who wish to participate, with their decision to be made by 19 September 2026 so we can plan ahead and with funds to be available immediately as of 1 January 2027.Englands FA was among the first country-level governing bodies to speak out against Infantinos forceful proposal but there are supportive voices even within UEFA. The president of the Czech FA has backed the plan.Prime Minister Andy Burnham has condemned the sell-off, rightly saying that the World Cup and football are not Infantinos to sell. Football does not belong to FIFA. FIFA and the World Cup do not belong to Infantino.Calls for Member Associations and regional confederations to take meaningful action against the FIFA presidents plan are gathering pace but the chances of thwarting him without razing the World Cup to the ground appear minimal.FIFA has not commented on how much Mr Infantino stands to benefit financially from delivering the $20bn venture, reports Sky News.Chris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
