July 29 (Reuters) - The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean soccer (CONCACAF) said on Wednesday that it had not been informed of FIFA's proposed sale of equity to outside investors and was "deeply concerned" over a lack of due process.
FIFA said on Tuesday that it plans to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events and will offer stakes of up to 20% in it to external investors.
Under the plan, FIFA would establish FIFA Forward Enterprise to oversee
commercial and event operations.
FIFA, which this year held a 48-team World Cup across the U.S., Canada and Mexico that was the biggest in the tournament's history, would retain control of the enterprise, but offer minority stakes in it to private investors to raise up to $4.2 billion.
"CONCACAF was only made aware of this matter through media reports and, subsequently, via a media release. We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process," it said in a statement.
"We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place. As leaders within football, we are the custodians of the game.
"Collectively, FIFA, the confederations and every member association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport. Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship.”
FIFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
French Football Federation chief Philippe Diallo said his organisation had not been informed either.
"Given its direction - specifically, as I understand, bringing investment funds into a commercial entity alongside FIFA - it obviously raises many questions," he said on French Inter radio station.
"Particularly since we, the member federations, were not involved and we lack the specific information needed to weigh in on matters that are clearly fundamental to the future of football."
UEFA MEETING
FIFA's move also provoked a furious response from UEFA, which accused world soccer's governing body of putting the game's "soul" up for sale.
UEFA is looking to hold an emergency meeting with its 55 member associations this week to discuss FIFA's proposal, the BBC and ESPN reported on Wednesday, adding that the meeting would be virtual and would seek to work out a plan of action for European soccer's governing body.
UEFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Mumbai, additional reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Ed Osmond)
