"FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself," FIFA stated.
FIFA strongly denied allegations that private equity would gain control over the sport's global administration. "Nobody is selling football.
This is not something FIFA would ever entertain," FIFA stated.
The organization maintained that every constituent body deserves a voice in evaluating the investment plan.
"Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future," FIFA stated.
Despite FIFA's assurances, UEFA maintained a firm stance, warning that European national teams will refuse to participate in future World Cups or FIFA events unless the commercial plans are completely scrapped.
"No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership," UEFA stated.
>>> Dodgers Beat Mariners 6-2; Sasaki Earns Fifth Win
CONCACAF also formally rejected the proposal, while domestic European leagues expressed fears that private investors would force expanded tournament schedules at the expense of local club competitions.
