Uefa has accused Fifa of "using our sport to enrich themselves and their friends" after it emerged that Fifa's 211 member associations have been given a deadline of 19 September to decide whether to apply for an initial payment of $20m (£15m) from the proceeds of its plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
"Today we have learned of Fifa's deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan," said European football's governing body in a statement.
Opposition from FA and Concacaf
The Football Association said it was "completely unaware of this proposal" and expressed deep concern about the lack of process. The FA chair, Debbie Hewitt, is a Fifa vice-president but appears to have been shut out of discussions.
Concacaf also criticised the plan, stating it was "deeply concerned by the lack of due process" and that it learned of the matter through media reports.
Uefa's Strong Response
Uefa said the plan "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross" and that "the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade". Hans-Joachim Watzke, vice-president of the German FA, described it as "an outright attack on football". The European Football Clubs organisation also expressed disquiet, saying it learned of the proposal without warning.
Britain's prime minister Andy Burnham criticised the plan, writing on social media: "The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell."
