Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick
Former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions, arguing that the initiative could enable developing nations to fund football without relying on government intervention, The PUNCH reports.
Pinnick, who serves as deputy chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, said Infantino had consistently introduced reforms that had benefited football associations across the world.
Infantino has written to all 211 FIFA member associations urging them to support the creation of a new commercial structure for FIFA competitions. The Times first reported details of the letter outlining the proposal.
Under the plan, FIFA would establish a new commercial subsidiary valued at $20bn, with private investors owning a 20 per cent stake. The company would manage the commercial rights to competitions including the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
