FIFA chief says ‘some do not want others to grow’ amid commercial rights row

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has accused football’s most powerful nations of trying to restrict the growth of the rest of the world, as opposition continues to build against his proposal to sell 20% of FIFA’s commercial rights.

Infantino did not name UEFA directly, but delivered a sharp response to critics of the plan after meeting representatives of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) in the Dominican Republic.

The CFU, a member organisation of CONCACAF, gave Infantino its full backing during the meeting. That support came only days after CONCACAF had strongly criticised the FIFA president over the same issue.

The dispute centres on FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), an initiative proposed by Infantino that would involve selling a 20% stake in the commercial rights to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private-sector investors.

Both CONCACAF and UEFA have viewed the proposal as a direct threat to their interests.

Addressing his opponents, Infantino said: “Unfortunately, some do not need or do not want others to grow, but we have to reduce this gap between the big countries, even the giant countries, and the rest.”

Speaking to FIFA’s own media channels, he added: “It is important to participate and engage in dialogue and express views. A lot has happened in the last few weeks, and it is important that we are heard. I am very happy with all the support I am receiving here.”

Infantino said FIFA’s central responsibility was to develop football across all 211 member associations, rather than serve the interests of a small group of leading nations.

“The big countries make tremendous efforts, and we praise and congratulate them,” he said. “Obviously, they deserve to continue growing, but we have to give everyone a chance. We have to find investments and opportunities for everyone.”

He said FIFA’s work was focused on “creating and providing opportunities, and facilitating access to the resources needed for world football”.

“This is what we have been pursuing over the past 10 years, as well as during the past 10 weeks, and we will continue to do so in the years ahead,” Infantino said.

The FIFA president also sought to stress that the proposed changes would follow the organisation’s established procedures. He is currently the only declared candidate for a fourth term, with the election due to take place at the FIFA Congress in Rabat on 18 March.

Infantino said every step taken by FIFA was subject to its normal rules and processes, with decisions to be made democratically by the member associations, the FIFA Council and the relevant bodies.

He added that the organisation would act “with full respect for its rules and regulations”.

The dispute has also prompted wider debate among football supporters, with the subject available for discussion in the Kooora forums.