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The Football Association (FA) of England and the French Football Federation have voiced strong opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s reported plan to sell minority stakes in the world football governing body’s commercial operations.

Both football bodies said they had no prior knowledge of the proposal and insisted they do not support the initiative.

Reports claim that Infantino has given all member football associations until September 19 to approve a proposal seeking to sell part of FIFA to private investors.

The plan is reportedly aimed at raising $4.2 billion through the sale of minority, non-controlling shares in Football Forward Enterprise, the company responsible for managing FIFA’s commercial assets, including broadcasting rights, sponsorships, licensing and ticket sales.

In a statement released on Wednesday, July 29, the English FA said it had not been consulted on the proposal and was unaware of the details surrounding the initiative.

The association stated, “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

“Given the limited information available, we are profoundly concerned about the absence of process and governance that has led to this point, as well as the apparent substance and principles involved. Once the proposal is shared in the full and transparent manner now promised by FIFA, we will articulate our views clearly and provide further commentary.”

French Football Federation President, Philippe Hamidou Diallo, also expressed concern, saying his organisation only became aware of the proposal through media reports.

He said, “We learned through a press release about a very significant project for which we have no details, and which, regarding its direction—specifically, the introduction of investment funds within a commercial company alongside FIFA—raises numerous questions, especially since we, as federations, have not been able to participate or express our opinions on issues that are evidently fundamental.

“I will have contacts today with my main colleagues from the major European federations, with the president of UEFA, to find out how we should approach his projects on which we have no particular information.”

FIFA, however, maintains that the proposal would deliver significant financial benefits to its member associations, estimating returns of more than $10 billion over the next four years if approved.

The governing body requires the backing of more than half of its member associations before the proposal can be implemented.

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