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Football Australia has broken its silence as governing bodies around the globe have shared their disbelief and outrage at being held to ransom over FIFA\u2019s plans to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup<\/a> and its other competitions to private investors.<\/p>\n FIFA president Gianni Infantino plans to create a semi-private subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise with FIFA holding a majority share, the 211 member nations having a 20 per cent share and 20 to 30 per cent stake sold off to private investors.<\/p>\n \ufeffGet all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The proposal immediately drew backlash from European governing body UEFA over concerns including Infantino personally becoming very wealthy from the plan<\/a> and FIFA events encroaching on club football as a result of FIFA\u2019s desire to generate more revenue for its investors.<\/p>\n \u201cThe soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA\u2019s to sell,\u201d UEFA\u2019s first statement read.<\/p>\n While other confederations were blindsided by the plan, only discovering it by reading The Times\u2019 report that broke on Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are deeply concerned by the lack of due process,\u201d CONCACAF, which governs North and Central American football and three of whose members, the USA, Canada and Mexico, co-hosted the World Cup, said in a statement.<\/p>\n The Asian Football Confederation also said that they had not been consulted as did England\u2019s Football Association.<\/p>\n \u201cBased on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved,\u201d its statement read. <\/p>\n Football Australia decided to be less strong as their peers in releasing statement on Thursday morning that indicated they were still trying to make sense of it all.<\/p>\n \u201cFootball Australia can confirm it has received correspondence from FIFA regarding its latest commercial proposal,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n \u201cAs this is the first time we have been made aware of the initiative, we are now working to understand the proposal in full.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have requested further information from FIFA to properly assess the strategic, commercial, and governance implications of such a significant step.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will only be able to form a position after receiving this information and engaging in further dialogue with our peer Member Associations and our Confederation.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE FIFA NEWS<\/b><\/p>\n \ufeffFIFA\u2019s $29bn bombshell promises a huge slice for Australia. It could destroy the World Cup<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018Not yours to sell\u2019: WC plunged into turmoil as FIFA \u2018nuclear bomb\u2019 set to spark revolt<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018Enormous stain on football\u2019: FIFA boss attacks WC critics in \u2018world class tantrum\u2019<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The football world\u2019s anger went into overdrive on Wednesday as Infantino adopted mafia-like tactics to try get the tick of approval from member nations for his project – which included US President Donald Trump\u2019s son-in-law Jared Kushner\u2019s company Thrive Capital and bank JP Morgan, who were involved in the failed European Super League five years ago.<\/p>\n The Trump-Infantino connection even drew criticism from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who is currently banned from the game due to corruption.<\/p>\n \u201cThe close relationship between the FIFA president and the US President (Donald Trump) has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football. No one has the right to sell our game,\u201d Blatter wrote on social media.<\/p>\n While Democrat members of the United States\u2019 congressional House Judiciary Committee also did not mince their words<\/p>\n \u201cApparently the fake Peace Prize and giant lease with Trump Tower weren\u2019t enough, now Infantino performs a kickback hat trick by pursuing a multibillion-dollar deal with Jared Kushner\u2019s brother to sell ownership stakes in the World Cup to private investors,\u201d their statement read. <\/p>\n Infantino\u2019s original proposal said each country would pocket US$20 million from the scheme.<\/p>\n The 56-year-old Swiss administrator doubled that figure to US$40m – if they sign up to the plan by September 19.<\/p>\n Those who refused would receive US$10m once the plan was brought to life.<\/p>\n According to The Times, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told members that a funding package totalling US$10 billion would become available if they signed up.<\/p>\n Infantino said in a letter seen by the British newspaper that the decision was up to individual associations.<\/p>\n \u201cShould you wish to proceed, this $10 billion package will become available as of January 1, 2027, ushering in the next phase of our journey together,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cShould you wish to retain the status quo and reject this proposal we still have our planned expansion of the Forward program (development funds) of $2.7 billion as previously presented.<\/p>\n \u201cIn total for the upcoming cycle starting as of January 1, 2027, each member association will have the possibility of access up to $40 million per member association under this proposal.\u201d <\/p>\n The Times said sources opposed to the plan had labelled it \u201cpure bribery\u201d. <\/p>\n UEFA issued a scathing fresh statement on FIFA\u2019s proposed timescale. <\/p>\n \u201cToday we have learned of FIFA\u2019s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis says everything you need to know about this plan.<\/p>\n \u201cBut having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA\u2019s scheme.<\/p>\n \u201cFIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly. It\u2019s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.\u201d<\/p>\n Infantino tried to dismiss tensions by saying the plan was \u201can opportunity but not an obligation\u201d for member nations.<\/p>\n \u201cFIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, is actually a proposal, an offer. It\u2019s part of a democratic process – a consultation process – and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation,\u201d he said in a video.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation.\u201d <\/p>\n Infantino insisted the proposal was centred on unlocking \u201cpreviously uncaptured commercial value\u201d and was conditional on a democratic vote of FIFA\u2019s 211 member associations and approval by the 38-member FIFA council.<\/p>\n \u201cCapturing that value requires additional expertise, additional insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions along with sponsorship, broadcast, licensing and new ventures for the benefit of FIFA\u2019s 211 member associations.\u201d <\/p>\n Infantino said the game would not change and the fans would be happier. <\/p>\n \u201cFans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Infantino\u2019s words have not been reassuring to outraged figures in Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cMany in European football see FIFA\u2019s plans as an absolute attack on football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here,\u201d Hans-Joachim Watzke, vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB) and Borussia Dortmund president, told magazine Kicker.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarter-finals and three the semi-finals. If European football stands united against these plans, that carries a great deal of weight.\u201d<\/p>\n UEFA is currently considering a boycott of the World Cup, which would first impact next year\u2019s women\u2019s tournament in Brazil.<\/p>\n