UEFA and Concacaf demand FIFA distribute $2.11bn from reserves

UEFA and Concacaf have called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to release at least $10m to each of the 211 member associations from the governing body’s cash reserves, escalating tensions between football’s leading confederations and FIFA.

In a joint letter to Infantino, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said the money should be made available during FIFA’s 2027-2030 financial cycle.

The request is the latest development in an increasingly public dispute over FIFA’s financial plans and follows the collapse of a proposed private investment vehicle championed by Infantino.

The plan, known as the FIFA Commercial Entities project, would have established a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all competitions, including the World Cup. It also proposed selling a 21% stake in the company to an investment firm.

The proposal was abandoned after only four days following widespread opposition from national associations.

BBC Sport has seen a copy of the letter signed by Ceferin and Montagliani. It says FIFA is on course to end its 2023-2026 financial cycle with reserves of about $6bn.

According to the two confederations, that figure is well above the level required to meet FIFA’s needs through to the end of the 2030 World Cup.

They asked FIFA to provide each national association with a minimum of $10m, to be used exclusively for infrastructure investment and football development. The requested release of reserves would cost FIFA about $2.11bn in total and would be additional to the regular funding already provided.

The letter followed a strongly worded intervention from Debbie Hewitt, chair of The Football Association and FIFA vice-president. One day earlier, she had written to Infantino and FIFA secretary general Matthias Grafstrom.

Hewitt called for the publication of all documents relating to the cancelled investment project. She also requested a written explanation to the FIFA Council over the decision to overturn the suspension of American striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.

That explanation is being sought before the next meeting of the FIFA Council, scheduled for 15 October.

The pressure comes as Infantino prepares to stand for a fourth term as FIFA president in March. Potential rivals and those seeking the presidency have until 18 November to submit an alternative candidate.