The European division of the international football players’ union, FIFPRO Europe, has officially opposed FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to transfer part of the commercial rights to the FIFA World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors. The union warned that implementing such a plan could have long-term and irreversible consequences for the future of football.
In a statement, FIFPRO Europe said the proposal had been developed without sufficient transparency and without meaningful consultation with players or their representatives. According to the union, a decision of such magnitude would have a profound impact on the professional lives of players, making it essential that their views be properly considered throughout the decision-making process.
The statement further argued that the proposal would fundamentally and irreversibly alter the incentives and competitive structure of the tournaments in which players compete. It also stressed that advancing such a significant project behind closed doors, without engaging with football’s primary stakeholders, raises serious concerns about the governance and decision-making process.
FIFPRO Europe also emphasized that commercial interests must not take precedence over the core values of football. The statement added that the influence of private investors should not replace the voices of players, supporters, and other key contributors to the growth and vitality of the game, and reaffirmed that the union does not support such a model.
The union further warned that while players have no voting rights within FIFA’s decision-making structure, they will have to live with the consequences of these decisions for years to come. FIFPRO Europe called on football governing bodies to work together more closely to safeguard the integrity, fairness, and independence of the sport and to prevent the excessive commercialization of football.
However, not all European football associations share the same view of the proposal. David Trunda, President of the Football Association of the Czech Republic, has expressed support for Gianni Infantino’s plan, arguing that its implementation could provide greater financial resources to FIFA’s member associations.
Under FIFA’s proposed plan, financial support for each member association during the next funding cycle could increase to as much as US$40 million. This prospect has led some countries to welcome the proposal, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen the financial foundations of their football programs.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
