UK prime minister slams Infantino over World Cup
Burnham has stepped up to defend the planet’s premier football tournament.
Details: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has delivered a scathing response to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell a stake in a commercial entity linked to the World Cup to private investors.
The British politician emphasized that football does not belong to investors, but rather to the fans who show up every week to support their teams at stadiums and by the sidelines.
“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 no one ever had the right to sell it. However you try to dress up this deal, the moment you sell even a part of the tournament — you betray it.
Football belongs to the fans. It always has and always will,” Burnham wrote.
It’s worth noting that FIFA’s plan involves creating the FIFA Forward Enterprise, valued at around $20 billion. Up to 20% of the shares could be sold to outside investors, netting FIFA an estimated $4.2 billion from the deal.
Reminder: BREAKING! Europe set to boycott World Cup!
Steven Perez
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