The European Union has strongly criticized FIFA's plans to sell a stake in its competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. EU sports chief Glenn Micallef warned FIFA, saying, 'Hands off our game.' He expressed concern over the commercialization of football and the potential conflicts of interest arising from FIFA's regulatory powers aligning with private financial interests.
Micallef highlighted that the relentless commercialization of football has become corrosive and that commercial success should strengthen the sport, not consume it. He announced that the EU executive will study FIFA's plans carefully, considering important competition law implications.
The EU's top court recognizes that sporting rules are subject to the bloc's law where they produce economic effects. Micallef noted particular concern over governance, independence, and conflicts of interest when FIFA's decisions affect the value of private investments.
FIFA plans to create a semi-private subsidiary to sell stakes in the business operations of the World Cup and other competitions. This move has prompted the EU to scrutinize the plans closely to ensure compliance with competition laws and to protect the integrity of the sport.
