A leading fan group has criticized FIFA's plan to sell a significant minority stake to private investors, calling it a "new low" for the global governing body.
FIFA unveiled its controversial plan on Tuesday, July 28, which called for the formation of a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
FFE would house FIFA's commercial rights – spanning broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing – along with the operational delivery of FIFA tournaments. FIFA said it was aiming to initially raise $4.2 billion for FFE, which would be based on a $20 billion valuation.
Though FIFA hailed the plan as a way to keep the sport sustainable and encourage global growth, many have decried it as a way for moneyed interests to take control of the game.
That
includes the UK-based Football Supporters' Association, which has hit out at the plan in a statement.
"Many supporters came home from the World Cup believing FIFA couldn’t do much more to ruin everything we love about football’s greatest tournament. Less than two weeks after the final ball was kicked, they’ve shown they can always find a new low," the FSA said.
"Like so many across the game, we are furious. We will examine the detail as it emerges, but we will do everything in our power as fans to fight back against the long line of decisions made that seriously threaten the future of football for short-term commercial gain.
"This cannot become another step in Gianni Infantino’s attempt to reshape football without regard for supporters or the wider game. We fully support UEFA’s statement. Every governing body, national association, league, club, supporter and stakeholder now has a responsibility to stand together and protect the future of our game."
UEFA, the European governing body, also criticized the plan in a statement of its own.
"This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross," UEFA said. "UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fan group 'furious' over FIFA plan to sell stake to private investors
