Gary Lineker has criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plans to sell stakes of the World Cup to private investors. FIFA confirmed that Infantino wants third parties to take 'minority, non-controlling investments' in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would control the World Cup and Club World Cup tournaments.
UEFA Condemns the Proposal
The controversial proposal has drawn strong condemnation from UEFA. In a statement, UEFA said: "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game. The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell."
Lineker's Response
Former England captain and Match of the Day host Lineker shared a BBC report of UEFA's statement on his Instagram story, adding a caption reading: "Nothing surprises me anymore" along with a sick face emoji.
UK Prime Minister Hits Out
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticised the plans on social media. He wrote: "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."
Previous Controversies
The latest controversy adds to several surrounding Infantino, both during and after this summer's World Cup. Lineker previously described the FIFA president's role as 'almost untenable' after the controversy involving Folarin Balogun's red card. The USA striker saw his suspension for the red card he received in the World Cup overturned by FIFA, allowing him to play in the knockout match against Belgium. This decision came after a phone call from US President Donald Trump. Speaking on the Rest is Football, Alan Shearer said: "FIFA have brought all this on themselves. How on earth does (Jarrell) Quansah now get two games, Balogun got one suspended and got it taken away, yet Quansah now has to miss if England get through the two games. It's absolutely scandalous. Such a bad look." Lineker added: "I think his position at FIFA now is almost untenable."
