Premier League back scathing statement against 'reckless' Infantino FIFA World Cup sale plan

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Suraj Radia | Editor

The European Leagues have released a statement condemning Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell shares in the FIFA World Cup as ‘reckless’ and ‘divisive for world football’.

The body represents the professional divisions across Europe, including the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga, and they have collectively announced that a complaint has been submitted to the European Commission accusing FIFA of violating competition law.

“FIFA’s announcement that its President is pursuing private investment options for a new subsidiary, consolidating its commercial and event-related operations, represents a reckless and divisive development for world football,” the European Leagues statement read.

“The World Cup should not be for sale. It is not FIFA President’s private equity asset. Its value is created day in and day out by leagues, clubs, players and supporters who are being left without a voice or a vote on this matter. European Leagues firmly reject this proposal.

“This opaque process and unilateral proposal are part of a long-term pattern in FIFA’s decision-making – a pattern which prompted the European Leagues to lodge a complaint with the European Commission on the basis that FIFA’s imposition of decisions on the international match calendar constitutes an abuse of dominant position that violates European competition law.”

It added: “We have held productive meetings with the European Commission about this matter and have confidence that the legal decisions they take will continue to be in the best interests of fans and football communities.”

Premier League supports statement against Infantino

Infantino announced plans this week to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors in the FIFA president’s latest controversy following the 2026 tournament this summer.

The decision has been heavily criticised by many bodies and figures including UEFA and former FIFA president Sepp Blatter

The European Leagues statement was backup by the Premier League, who posted on their social media account that they support the criticism of Infantino as a founding member of the body.

It is believed that Infantino has informed all of FIFA's 211 member associations they must agree to his World Cup sell-off plan by 19 September if they want additional funding, which many critics have deemed as bribery.