Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly opposed FIFA’s recently announced plan to set up a private company to handle the commercial rights and delivery of the World Cup and other tournaments, saying the sport should not be put up for sale to investors.
National figures and football bodies line up against plan
The proposal, unveiled by FIFA to create a vehicle called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would combine the sale of commercial rights with the operational running of FIFA tournaments and would be open to private investment. The move was met with swift criticism from Europe’s governing body, UEFA, which warned that the “soul and governance of football are not assets to trade.”
Burnham, an Everton supporter, used social media to make his position plain. In his post he insisted the World Cup was not a commodity and stressed the central role of fans and grassroots participants in the game.
“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.”
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) also condemned the plan, calling it a “new low” and criticising FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The FSA urged alignment with UEFA’s statement and urged national associations and governing bodies to push back.
What this means locally
For supporters in Darlington and across County Durham, the row underscores wider anxieties about the commercial direction of elite football and the perceived distance between governing bodies and fans. Questions now arise over how much influence private investors could have over future tournament arrangements, broadcast deals and ticketing policies.
- Proposed body: FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)
- Opponents: Andy Burnham, UEFA, Football Supporters’ Association
- Main concern: sale of rights and operation to private investors
| Stakeholder | Position |
|---|---|
| Andy Burnham | Opposed — football belongs to fans |
| UEFA | Condemned proposal |
| FSA | Called plan a "new low" |
As the story develops, local supporters’ groups and clubs may wish to follow statements from national governing bodies and consider whether to register their views. For now the proposal has provoked a rare alignment of political and footballing voices in opposition.
