FIFA defiant over World Cup investment plan: 'nobody is selling football'

FIFA said it will continue consultations on a plan to bring private investment into the World Cup and other competitions despite pushback from European football governance. Switzerland-based FIFA claimed “incorrect media reports” disrupted its planned process, but it pledged to press on so each member association can vote “based on facts.” The proposal centers on creating a $20bn subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would run tournaments and offer external investors a stake of up to 20%. FIFA expects Thrive Eternal, backed by Thrive Capital and led by Joshua Kushner, to lead the investor group. UEFA’s 55 member nations voted unanimously on Thursday to boycott FIFA events, and FIFA insisted “nobody is selling football.”