Northern Ireland fan spokesman blasts FIFA's privatised World Cup plans as Infantino defends move
A spokesman for Northern Ireland football fans has said Gianni Infantino’s move towards privatising the World Cup risks “distorting” how the game is run.
Gary McAllister, chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs, is the latest figure to speak out against the FIFA presidents’ proposals.
Meanwhile Mr Infantino has given an interview defending his plan, which would involve setting up a private company called FIFA Forward Enterprise to run the World Cup, with “20-30%” of that company being sold to private investors.
Wall Street giant JP Morgan is advising on the move, and the investors are led by Thrive Eternal, a company run by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
FIFA itself is a Swiss-based non-profit association (allowing it to avail of a low tax rate) and states that its “principal mission is to promote the game of football, protect its integrity, and bring the game to all”.
Mr Infantino says FIFA’s 211 member associations will receive $40m (£30m) under his plans, but they need to agree to them by September 19 if they want to access an initial $20m.
Mr McAllister told the News Letter: "We share the concerns of many others across world football about the lack of a proper process, a lack of transparency and the potential for undue influence over FIFAs decision making, which we've seen already, very recently.
"Investors would undoubtedly expect to hold significant influence in return for their financial contribution, and I think anything which has the potential to distort or interfere in the proper democratic processes of football is unwelcome.
"The member associations of FIFA need to ensure that there is proper accountability.
"We were told when Sepp Blatter and others were removed from office that things would improve, but there has been little evidence of this in recent times."
UEFA’s reaction to Mr Infantino has been apoplectic: it has accused FIFA of “using our sport to enrich themselves and their friends”.
The English FA has likewise denounced the plans, and the IFA says it has “questions” about them.
Jim Boyce, former IFA president and FIFA vice-president, told the News Letter yesterday that that deal is about “purely and simply money” and “could be Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino trying to set something up”.
In an interview released by FIFA on Wednesday evening, Mr Infantino defended the proposals insisting they provide “a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally”.
He added: “The fans remain the cornerstone of the beautiful game, and the sport they watch and love will not change.
“FIFA obviously continues to govern football without any external interference. We want to help creating the next Cabo Verdes.
“Fans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries.
“But again, it is simply a choice for our members.”
Czech FA president David Trunda has said “I can see the pragmatic benefits” of the plans – the first favourable voice to have surfaced after the news emerged on Tuesday.