Online Reporter
LONDON. – FIFA president Gianni Infantino is plotting an outlandish move to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The scheme, which would involve forming a company to control the World Cup and Club World Cup and potentially earn Infantino tens of millions of pounds, has already been blasted by Uefa.
European chiefs have launched a furious statement saying the idea “crosses a line”, adding that football is “not FIFA’s to sell”.
Potential investors have reportedly been briefed on the plot that would also see each of FIFA’s 211 member associations handed a £15m share of the company that they could choose to sell themselves.
According to The Times, figures close to Donald Trump’s administration are amongst those consulted about the plans.
Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital is expected to lead the proposed investor group and JP Morgan is set to be FIFA’s financial advisor for the project.
Kushner, 41, is the younger brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
FIFA would assume the majority ownership of the company, with private investors owning up to 30 per cent initially – costing them billions of pounds.
The money-making plot could also see Infantino appointed as an effective “commissioner” of the company once his final presidential term ends.
Infantino is set to be re-elected unopposed until 2031. – The Sun
