UEFA has accused Gianni Infantino’s FIFA of using football to enrich itself and its friends after associations received a $20m deadline.
UEFA has escalated its attack on Gianni Infantino’s plans for FIFA after member associations were given a deadline to accept a one-off $20 million funding offer.
The European governing body responded with another statement on Wednesday, having learned that FIFA’s 211 member associations now have until September 19 to make their decision.
This payment is part of Infantino’s push to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new subsidiary that would bring together FIFA’s commercial rights and the running of major competitions like the World Cup and Club World Cup.
UEFA’s concern is that the deadline puts associations under pressure to back the wider proposal before they’ve had enough time or detail to weigh up its governance, commercial or sporting impact.
In a statement released through its official channels, UEFA said:
“Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan.”
FIFA Forward Enterprise would launch with an initial valuation of $20 billion. External investors could buy up to 20 per cent in minority, non-controlling stakes.
FIFA hopes to raise up to $4.2 billion from this process before the year is out. The new company would take charge of broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing rights, as well as the organisation of FIFA’s men’s, women’s and youth competitions.
FIFA insists it would keep control of the subsidiary, maintaining exclusive authority over football regulations, competition formats, the international match calendar and other key decisions.
Infantino has pitched the project as a way to boost investment across world football.
Under the plan, each member association could apply for up to $20 million in immediate funding for major projects through a new FIFA Fast Forward Programme. Regular development funding for 2027 to 2030 would also jump from the current $8 million to $20 million per association, if the proposal goes through.
Setting up FIFA Forward Enterprise would need majority backing from FIFA’s members, along with the green light from the FIFA Council.
UEFA’s latest move makes clear that the financial offer has done little to calm its concerns. The organisation says talks with stakeholders across football have revealed growing resistance, and accuses FIFA of looking after its own inner circle.
“FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends,” the statement continued.
“We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”
This latest language goes further than UEFA’s first response, which argued that football’s governance and identity should not be treated as commercial assets, and insisted the World Cup was not FIFA’s to sell.
The opposition is no longer just a European issue. The Football Association says it was unaware of the proposal and is concerned about how it was developed. Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation have also criticised the lack of consultation, while European Football Clubs argue that a group representing over 850 clubs should have had a seat at the table.
With the September deadline looming, the funding offer is now front and centre in the dispute. FIFA argues that private investment would unlock billions for infrastructure, coaching, national teams, grassroots programmes and women’s football.
UEFA sees this as an attempt to win support for a major structural change by dangling an immediate financial reward. Its latest statement leaves little room for compromise as long as the current terms stand.
FIFA still needs to convince a majority of its 211 associations to move forward. UEFA, meanwhile, is working to persuade enough of them that the funding on offer is not worth the commercial structure that comes with it.
FIFA’s official announcement confirms the planned valuation, investment structure, commercial rights, funding increases and approval requirements.
