According to the Saudi Gazette, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially abandoned plans to sell a stake in the organization's commercial assets to private equity investors. The proposal, which aimed to create a $20 billion entity to manage revenue from the men's and women's World Cups, was shelved following significant pushback from football federations and senior sports officials globally.
Infantino stated that the project had become a source of division within the football community, noting that the internal friction outweighed the potential financial benefits of the deal. The plan had reportedly involved a 20% stake being offered to an investment firm, with speculation centering on a New York-based firm founded by Joshua Kushner. The withdrawal marks a significant pivot for FIFA's financial strategy, which had sought to capitalize on the growing commercial value of its flagship tournaments.
The decision comes amidst broader scrutiny of FIFA's governance and commercial operations under Infantino's leadership. While the private equity proposal was intended to bolster the organization's long-term funding, the widespread opposition highlighted concerns regarding the influence of external investors in the governance of the sport. FIFA has not yet announced alternative plans for raising the capital originally targeted through the private equity sale.
The core event regarding FIFA abandoning its private equity plans is corroborated by multiple trusted wire sources, including BBC reports on the matter. The details provided in the Saudi Gazette summary align with the broader reporting on FIFA's commercial strategy shifts.
Original report: Saudi Gazette