FIFA is facing widespread criticism from football governing bodies over its plan to sell a significant stake in its tournaments through a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

• FIFA intends to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority, non-controlling interests in the FFE, which would be valued at an initial $20 billion.
• UEFA, CONCACAF, and the European Union have all voiced strong opposition, calling the plan a betrayal of football's governance.
• The plan, reportedly involving investors like Thrive Capital and JP Morgan Chase, was leaked to the press and is facing scrutiny for its lack of transparency.

The European Union has publicly opposed FIFA's plans to sell a stake in its competitions, including the World Cup, warning the governing body to "Hands off our game."

• The EU executive will carefully study FIFA's proposals, which involve creating a semi-private subsidiary for business operations.
• The main criticism comes from EU sports chief Glenn Micallef, who expressed concern over the "relentless commercialisation of football."
• Micallef highlighted that the plans raise "important competition law considerations," especially regarding the alignment of FIFA's regulatory powers with private financial interests and potential conflicts of interest.

The Football Association (FA) of England has expressed deep concern over FIFA's newly announced plans to sell stakes in its major competitions. This move by the sport's global governing body has also drawn strong criticism from UEFA.

• The FA was reportedly unaware of the proposal and lacks substantive details.
• FIFA announced plans to establish a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to select investors.
• British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that "football does not belong to investors" and the World Cup is "not a product."