July 30 – The Football Association of the Czech Republic has expressed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s $20 billion plan to sell off the World Cup.
In an interview with Sky News, Czech FA President David Trunda endorsed FIFA’s plans that sent shockwaves through the game and said: “I can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football from working in close co-operation with [FIFA president] Gianni Infantino and his team.
“Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of FIFA’s intentions.”
Elected last year, Trunda’s view appears to be an outlier among European associations and federations. “I was elected a little more than a year ago, and for me personally all the projects I have experienced in cooperation with FIFA have been very positive for the development of European football.”
By contract, the English Football Association said that it was “deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.”
The Romanian and Dutch federations have expressed outright opposition to the proposal.
Earlier this week, The Times reported that Infantino and FIFA want to sell a stake in the World Cup to private equity to raise more money and distribute more development money to the member associations. Under the plans, Infantino would become the commissioner of a new commercial entity, allowing him to maintain a key role in world football.
FIFA is reportedly working with J.P. Morgan – the bank that was also involved in the failed European Super League launch – and intended investors include Thrive Eternal launched by Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is a son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, [email protected]