FIFA defiant over World Cup investment plan, despite UEFA’s vote to boycott

FIFA defiant over World Cup investment plan, despite UEFA’s vote to boycottEuropean football’s governing body has voted to boycott FIFA if World Cup plans pursued, but global body undeterred.⁠FIFA has said it ⁠will push ahead with consultations on a plan to bring private investment into the World Cup and its other tournaments, after Europe’s football federation threatened a boycott and other regional confederations issued stinging rebukes of the plan.⁠Switzerland-based FIFA said “incorrect media reports” had disrupted its planned consultation process but it would press on.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4What has FIFA charged Argentina with, and what could the punishment be?list 2 of 4Argentina’s Milei seeks to deport foreigners that spread ‘hate’ of countrylist 3 of 4Storm apologize after co-owner berates teen girls for support of Cunninghamlist 4 of 4Viral finger-clicker suspended as cricket storm remains in global spotlightend of list“We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA (Member Association) has the ability to express its vote based on facts,” it said on Friday in a statement issued in the ⁠middle of the European night.FIFA is pushing to create a $20bn subsidiary, FIFA-forward-enterprise" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="173293" data-entity-type="organization">FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run the World Cup and its other events, with a stake of up to 20% to be offered to external investors.Thrive Eternal, a fund run by Joshua Kushner-founded Thrive Capital, is expected to lead the proposed investor group, FIFA said. Joshua is the brother of Jared Kushner, United States President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.UEFA leads backlash by confederations over World Cup planUEFA has led the criticism of the proposal, accusing FIFA of putting the sport’s “soul” up for sale.On Thursday, UEFA’s 55 member nations voted unanimously to boycott all FIFA tournaments, less than two weeks after Spain were crowned World Cup champions.“Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain,” FIFA said.“Everyone has the right to express their opposition and to seek further clarification but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 MAs around the world.