Roughly a week and a half on from the end of one of the best ever World Cups, news has dropped that bring FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino – fresh off their massive win in North America – crashing back down to Earth.
The world soccer governing body announced plans Tuesday to set up a separate entity – which would include private investors – that would have control of the commercial and operational rights of one of the globe’s biggest sporting events.
This proposal, though, has come under intense scrutiny and criticism from many around the world, including European governing body UEFA saying the “soul and governance” of the game are under threat.
But what is it about the proposal that has caused such uproar from soccer bodies and authorities, members of the media and fans? Why are so many saying that FIFA is putting soccer up for sale?
FIFA is proposing a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) that will control the commercial side (including broadcast rights, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing) and the operational side (planning, setting up and delivering tournaments) of what it currently does with its own competitions, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup.
