Rabat – UEFA has launched a strongly worded attack on FIFA’s proposed commercial restructuring, accusing the world governing body of using football to benefit its leadership and associates rather than prioritizing the sport’s main stakeholders.
The dispute concerns plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE. This new subsidiary would combine FIFA’s revenue-generating and event operations, including broadcasting, sponsorship, licensing, ticketing and the delivery of competitions such as the World Cup.
FIFA intends to raise up to $4.2 billion by offering private investors minority, non-controlling stakes of up to 20% in the company, which is estimated at $20 billion. FIFA says it would remain the majority owner and retain exclusive authority over competitions, football governance, regulations and the international match calendar.
UEFA initially said the plan crossed a boundary that football institutions should never cross, arguing that the “soul and governance” of the game were not commercial assets and declaring that the World Cup was “not FIFA’s to sell.”
The European body escalated its criticism after learning that FIFA had set a September 19 deadline for national associations to support the proposal and access a one-off funding offer.
“Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn,” UEFA said. “This says everything you need to know about this plan.”
“FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends,” the statement continued. “It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”
Funding offer linked to member support
Under Infantino’s proposal, each of FIFA’s 211 member associations could receive up to $20 million in one-off capital through the optional FIFA Fast Forward Programme.
Regular FIFA Forward funding would also increase from the current allocation of up to $8 million per association to $20 million for the 2027–2030 cycle. The amount would then rise to $22 million for 2031–2034 and $24 million for 2035–2038.
The overall development package would be worth more than $10 billion. If the plan is rejected, member associations would instead receive the previously planned package worth approximately $2.7 billion, including around $10 million per federation during the next cycle.
Infantino has argued that the proposal would provide every federation with a greater share of football’s commercial wealth and allow investments in stadiums, national training centers, coaching, grassroots football, domestic competitions and the women’s game.
FIFA has also said that participation in the additional funding programme would be voluntary and that all net financial benefits generated by the new enterprise would be reinvested in football.
However, UEFA views the deadline and the connection between financial support and approval as pressure on national associations to back a plan that it says has not received sufficient consultation or scrutiny.
Proposal still requires approval
The creation of FFE is not yet confirmed. It requires the support of more than half of FIFA’s 211 member associations, as well as approval from the FIFA Council.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation would be among the associations eligible to vote on the proposal and potentially benefit from the increased funding. The FRMF had not publicly announced its position at the time of writing.
UEFA is not alone in raising concerns. Concacaf expressed disappointment that details had emerged before discussions with the relevant governing bodies, while the English Football Association said it had been unaware of the plan and lacked information about the conditions attached.
The dispute has created another major confrontation between FIFA and UEFA, with the future commercial control of the World Cup, the influence of private investors and the distribution of football revenue now at the center of the debate.
