Oxford United owner backs Gianni Infantino’s FIFA plan

Football’s global governing body is planning to sell a ‘multibillion dollar stake’ in the commercial rights of the World Cup.

The scheme has received an avalanche of backlash from football supporters and journalists across the globe with many accusing Infantino of ‘selling football’.

The fallout of the decision has been momentous, with Europe’s footballing body UEFA agreeing to boycott the World Cup and all FIFA tournaments should Infantino’s privatisation proposals be voted through.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have also opposed FIFA.

Oxford United owner Erick Thohir (left) and chairman Dusan Bogdanovic (right) with FIFA president Gianni Infantino (Image: @dusan.ph via Instagram)

UK prime minister Andy Burnham has condemned the decision, saying: “Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”

Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, has now quit in protest over the World Cup scheme.

The proposals would mean the creation of a $20 billion company to run the World Cup with private investors which would involve Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US president Donald Trump and the US Special Envoy for Peace.

FIFA Forward Enterprise: What is it?

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The company with be a commercial subsidiary called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and would also run the Club World Cup.

Oxford’s owner Thohir is also president of the Indonesian Football Association and has spoken to Sky News, vowing to support the FIFA president’s proposals.

The U’s owner signed a deal with Infantino last year to form a FIFA ‘hub’ in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital.

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Thohir is seemingly one of very few people in favour of the new plans along with David Trunda, president of the Czech FA.

“If FIFA members approve it, it will show there is a demand for this deal to happen,” the Yellows’ owner insisted, speaking to Sky News.

Chief Executive Officer for the FA Mark Bullingham (left) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (centre) (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Should the plans be voted through by mid-September, all 211 member associations would receive a $40 million windfall.

The Indonesian FA are members of AFC who have opposed FIFA’s scheme.

Thohir’s country are set to vote in favour.

He continued to Sky News: “Indonesian football has been transformed in the last three years – it has been cleaned up.

“The national team’s ranking has gone from 174 to 118 – to continue this transformation it needs funding.”

U’s supporters are keen to hear from the club’s owner after a turbulent summer which has seen former head coach Matt Bloomfield replaced by former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and the club enter a temporary transfer embargo.

The club has insisted that the financial situation that resulted in the embargo is a short-term issue which will lead to long term gain.