Prime Minister Andy Burnham has added his voice to the backlash against FIFA's plan to establish a new private company to oversee the World Cup and other tournaments, declaring that 'football does not belong to investors'.
FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal
FIFA announced on Tuesday that it was looking to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would combine the sale of FIFA's commercial rights with the operational management of its competitions. The new entity would welcome private investors.
The proposal was swiftly condemned by Europe's governing body UEFA, which said in a statement that 'the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade'.
Burnham's statement
Burnham, a passionate Everton fan, shared a statement on social media. He said: 'Let me say this very directly. 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.'
'The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.'
'Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.'
Football Supporters' Association response
Earlier, the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) branded the proposal a 'new low' from FIFA, targeting president Gianni Infantino. The FSA said: 'Many supporters came home from the World Cup believing FIFA couldn't do much more to ruin everything we love about football's greatest tournament. Less than two weeks after the final ball was kicked, they've shown they can always find a new low.'
'Like so many across the game, we are furious. We will examine the detail as it emerges, but we will do everything in our power as fans to fight back against the long line of decisions made that seriously threaten the future of football for short-term commercial gain.'
'This cannot become another step in Gianni Infantino's attempt to reshape football without regard for supporters or the wider game. We fully support UEFA's statement.'
'Every governing body, national association, league, club, supporter and stakeholder now has a responsibility to stand together and protect the future of our game.'
