FIFA’s member federations are poised to receive an additional $10 million each from the organisation’s growing cash reserves, attributed to the success of the recent World Cup. This proposal was articulated in a letter addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino by the vice presidents from Europe and North America.
The letter underscores their intention to seek Infantino’s removal from office because of his efforts to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors. It indicates that FIFA is projected to maintain cash reserves of $6 billion following the World Cup, enabling this one-time distribution, which would total $2.1 billion among the 211 federations.
The presidents of UEFA and CONCACAF, Aleksander Ceferin and Victor Montagliani, respectively, present this funding plan as a counterinitiative to Infantino’s previous offer of $20 million per federation linked to his now-abandoned project.
The letter further reassures FIFA members that the previously committed funding of $20 million for each of the 211 federations through 2030 will remain intact and will proceed as planned. Ceferin and Montagliani have requested a comprehensive and independent review of FIFA’s financial situation ahead of the scheduled meeting in Zurich on 15 October. This analysis aims to clarify how funds are allocated to member federations.
Leaders from UEFA and CONCACAF are expected to play significant roles in the forthcoming FIFA Council meeting, the first since the disclosure of Infantino’s private equity initiative in late July. The letter also says they plan to inform the presidents of the other four confederations to secure support for the proposal.
In addition, UEFA has requested legal authority in Manhattan and Florida to seek evidence from Joshua Kushner‘s investment firm and FIFA as part of a potential criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland, regarding possible financial mismanagement.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
