The World Cup “is not anyone’s to sell”, Andy Burnham has said, as he joined European football chiefs in condemning Fifa’s proposal to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors led by a relative of Donald Trump.
In a forceful statement on X, the prime minister said: “Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine. … Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.”
“PM Andy Burnham and Uefa condemn Fifa plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors linked to Trump family.”
Fifa announced plans to create a new subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), that would consolidate its commercial and event operations, and invite “minority, non-controlling investments” from third parties. The plan, first reported by the Financial Times and the Times, could earn Fifa president Gianni Infantino tens of millions of pounds, according to the Times. Fifa sources told BBC Sport there has been “no discussion” over Infantino or anyone else becoming chief executive of FFE.
The proposed investor group is expected to be led by Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm whose founder Joshua Kushner is the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared. Fifa said the plan would expand “football development funding” to more than $10bn (£7.5bn) and allow member associations to access up to $20m (£15m) in “one-off capital”.
But Uefa issued a statement criticising the proposals, which it claimed “crosses a line”. European nations are reportedly discussing a World Cup boycott if Infantino proceeds. The plan still needs approval from Fifa’s 211 member associations. The Independent described the proposal as “football’s nuclear bomb” and “worse than the Super League”.
Infantino defended the plan, saying Fifa exists to support “sustainable, inclusive development”. But Burnham was unequivocal: “Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.”
