Defiant FIFA doubles down on private investment plan, says 'nobody is selling football'

July 31 : FIFA said on Friday it would push ahead with consultations on a plan to bring private investment into the World Cup and its other tournaments, after Europe's football federation threatened a boycott and other regional confederations issued stinging rebukes of the plan.

Switzerland-based FIFA said "incorrect media reports" had disrupted its planned consultation process but it would press on.

"We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA (Member Association) has the ability to express its vote based on facts," it said in a statement issued in the middle of the European night.

FIFA is pushing to create a $20 billion subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run the World Cup and its other events, with a stake of up to 20 per cent to be offered to external investors.

Thrive Eternal, a fund run by Joshua Kushner-founded Thrive Capital, is expected to lead the proposed investor group, FIFA said. Joshua is the brother of Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

'NOBODY IS SELLING FOOTBALL'

UEFA has led the criticism of the proposal, accusing FIFA of putting the sport's "soul" up for sale.

On Thursday, UEFA's 55 member nations voted unanimously to boycott all FIFA tournaments, less than two weeks after Spain were crowned World Cup champions.

"Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain," FIFA said.

"Everyone has the right to express their opposition and to seek further clarification but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 MAs around the world. 

"Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future. These are the democratic principles of FIFA."

CONCACAF, the regional federation for North America, Central