English FA says ‘deeply concerned’ over FIFA plans

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England’s Football Association said Wednesday it was “deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance” after FIFA confirmed plans to sell stakes in its major competitions.

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The sport’s world governing body on Tuesday announced proposals to set up a commercial subsidiary to run events, which would reportedly have links to the extended family of US President Donald Trump.

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The announcement produced a furious backlash from European football’s governing body UEFA, which insisted the World Cup was not an “asset to trade”.

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England’s Football Association (FA) also voiced major concerns.

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“We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

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“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.

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“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”

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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on X that “football does not belong to investors”.

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“The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell,” he added.

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FIFA said its subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would select “long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests in FFE”.

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It said FIFA would retain sole control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, the match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.

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