European football's governing body, UEFA, and UK politician Andy Burnham have voiced strong criticism against FIFA's recent proposals to seek private investment for its competitions, including the lucrative World Cup.

FIFA, the global governing body for football, announced its intention to expand football development funding to over $10 billion (£7.5 billion) by inviting third-party investment into a new venture. This move, first reported by the Financial Times and The Times, has sparked significant backlash from key stakeholders within the sport.

According to reports, the plans could potentially see FIFA President Gianni Infantino earning tens of millions of pounds. FIFA stated it will invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments in a new subsidiary named Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would consolidate its commercial and event operations. Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, is expected to lead the proposed investor group if the plan is approved by FIFA's 211 member nations.

In response to the criticism, FIFA stated that Infantino and the organization have a duty to control the development of the project, though specifics on Infantino's involvement remain unclear. The governing body also highlighted that member associations could access up to $20 million (£15 million) in one-off capital for development funding, with Infantino emphasizing that "every nation should benefit from the riches football creates."

However, UEFA issued a statement calling the proposals "a line crossed," while Andy Burnham, writing on X, declared that FIFA had "sold out." He asserted that football belongs to the fans and the people who participate week in and week out, not to investors. Burnham emphasized that the World Cup is the "greatest competition in world sport" and was never for sale.

The Football Association has also indicated it was unaware of FIFA's plans before their release, adding to the confusion and concern surrounding the proposal. The core of the controversy lies in the potential commercialization of football's premier event and the perceived shift in ownership and control.

FIFA insists its goal is to support sustainable and inclusive development globally, using the commercial success of the sport to benefit all member nations. The organization's statement aimed to frame the investment as a means to further this mission, ensuring that the growth of football is widespread and equitable.

Despite FIFA's assurances, the strong reactions from UEFA and Burnham suggest a significant challenge ahead in gaining widespread support for the plan. The upcoming vote by FIFA's member nations will be a critical juncture, determining the future of private investment in the organization's core assets and the World Cup itself.