Die-hard England supporters have threatened to boycott future World Cups after Fifa unveiled controversial plans to sell stakes in a new company responsible for the commercial operation of its major tournaments.
The backlash intensified on Wednesday as the FA said it was “deeply concerned” by the proposal, while fans accused Fifa president Gianni Infantino of “putting profit ahead of fans”.
Former FA chief executive Mark Palios also warned the plan risked crossing a dangerous line between sport and business and could reduce supporters to “customers”.
Fifa announced on Tuesday that it intends to create a new vehicle, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would bring together the sale of commercial rights and the operational delivery of its competitions, including the World Cup.
The governing body said Thrive Eternal, a company established in April this year and linked to the extended family of US President Donald Trump, would lead the proposed investor group. Thrive Eternal is run by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, Mr Trump’s son-in-law.
In a strongly worded statement, the FA said it had not been consulted on the proposal and had received no meaningful detail from Fifa.
It read: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.
“Based 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.”
The FA added it would make its views clear once Fifa shared the proposal “in the full and transparent way now promised”.
The Press Association understands Mr Infantino has told Fifa’s 211 member associations that each would receive 40 million US dollars if they agree to the plan, with a funding package worth 10 billion dollars becoming available if the proposal is approved by September 19.
Associations have also been told that if they reject the plan, their earnings would be 2.7 billion dollars — almost 75% less.
Fifa has insisted it will retain “exclusive authority” over football governance, competitions, the match calendar and all sporting and regulatory decisions – arguing the new structure would generate a significant increase in development funding for national associations.
Following the announcement of the proposals, members of the England travellers club, who follow the Three Lions home and away, reacted with anger.
John Gallivan, who organised a number of England fan meet-ups during this summer’s World Cup in the US, said many travelling supporters felt Fifa had moved too far towards commercialisation.
He told PA: “I think it’s a terrible idea.
“Football, especially something like the World Cup, shouldn’t be treated like another financial asset for private investors.
“The World Cup belongs to fans, players, the national associations – it’s built over hundreds of years of history and passion, not on creating returns for shareholders.”
Mr Gallivan said supporters feared that once outside investors became involved, pressure to maximise revenue would affect ticket prices, scheduling and the traditions surrounding international football.
“England fans spend thousands following their team all over the world – we don’t do it because we see football as a business, we do it because we love our country and we love the game,” he said.
“The idea that investors could have a financial stake in the World Cup just feels fundamentally wrong.”
Mr Gallivan, from Bristol, added that he would support drastic action by European football authorities if necessary.
He said: “Personally, I fully support Uefa walking away from Fifa if that’s what it takes to protect the future of European football.
“If Fifa keeps putting commercial interests ahead of the game itself, then I think Uefa should seriously consider breaking away rather than going along with it.”
Another prominent England supporter, Gary Scammell, said the announcement had become “the final straw” for many fans who had already been angered by ticket prices at the tournament in the United States.
He told PA: “It is another smack in the face to supporters and associations across the world.
“Most fans I’ve spoken to have the same opinion. This can only be detrimental for the world of football and that it is the final straw.”
Mr Scammell said national associations should consider taking collective action against Fifa.
He continued: “If football associations across the world come together and voice their concerns that Fifa have crossed a line, it should lead to Fifa being given a very strong ultimatum – either remove the wish to sell off stakes in something that isn’t theirs or boycott Fifa and remove themselves from their tournaments.
“I, like most, would certainly be on board if the FA were to stand our ground and boycott this latest load of shenanigans.”
Mark Hillman, another long-time England supporter, from Cookham, Berkshire, said he had already discussed refusing to attend future tournaments.
“I was just talking to my mate and we spoke about that and I was like, you know what, we just boycott the thing. We stop going,” he told PA.
“If he (Infantino) wants to sell stakes of it off then it should be the fans who should ultimately be at the heart of this and not selling it off to the highest bidder.”
Mr Hillman described the proposal as “all money-driven” and added: “I purely think it’s greed.”
The strength of feeling has also reached the FA directly.
In an email sent to the FA, supporter Nick Jones wrote that the World Cup had already become increasingly commercialised and accused Fifa of trying to “sell part of something that isn’t theirs to sell”.
In the email, which was shared with PA, Mr Jones wrote: “Football is nothing without fans. Fans will fight back and win.”
Mr Palios, who served as FA chief executive between 2003 and 2004, added his voice to the criticisms of the plans.
He told PA: “In a world where you’ve got globalisation, commercialisation, the winners are the people who own the competition and also the very, very top elite sportspeople.
“There’s a balance to be struck because it’s in the interests of sport to commercialise and get as much cash as they can.
“But there’s a real danger that somebody can cross the line, and it seems to cross the line in this case, that the idea of sport is separated by the raison d’etre of business.”
He added: “It will start to pull the game away from its roots.
“Fans, who are the heartbeat and the lifeblood of the game, will become not so much fans as customers.”
Asked whether he would have felt comfortable supporting the plans if he was still chief executive at the FA, Mr Palios told PA: “Absolutely not, and I don’t think anyone in the FA would.”
The proposal has also drawn political criticism.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the World Cup was “not a product” and that football “belongs to the fans” rather than investors.
