UEFA and CONCACAF call for more than $2 billion to be distributed by FIFA

UEFA and CONCACAF are putting Gianni Infantino under pressure with a proposal to distribute more than $2 billion from FIFA’s reserves. Aleksander Čeferin and Victor Montagliani, who lead the two bodies, are calling for the money to go to member associations.

Their proposal would allocate $10 million to each of FIFA’s 211 national member associations. It also includes $36 million for each of the six regional confederations and $3 million for sub-regional associations. The two leaders believe the distribution could be made without selling the commercial rights to the World Cup. Their calculations suggest FIFA would still have $2.6 billion in cash reserves afterwards.

The proposal follows criticism from leaders of the continental confederations directed at Gianni Infantino. They faulted him for not consulting FIFA Council members about « FIFA Forward », a proposed mechanism involving the sale of a 20% share of the commercial rights to the World Cup and other competitions. Infantino had previously promised additional funding to member associations, provided they supported his project.

The redistribution proposal and its financial assessment are due to be considered at the next FIFA Council meeting on 15 October.