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World football is edging towards a major internal conflict as FIFPRO Europe has joined the growing backlash against FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The players' union has formally criticised a far-reaching proposal to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup to private investors, warning that such a step could damage the integrity of the sport.

Players close ranks against commercial overhaul

FIFPRO Europe has delivered a strongly worded verdict on the proposal to turn the FIFA World Cup and other top-level competitions into investable assets for private capital. The union warned that this would "fundamentally and irreversibly reshape the incentives underpinning the competitions in which players work, compete and build their careers."

FIFPRO hits out at Infantino proposal

In a detailed statement, the union said it was seriously concerned by the lack of transparency surrounding the project.

FIFPRO said: "FIFPRO Europe has noted with deep concern the proposal to transform the FIFA World Cup and other FIFA competitions into investable assets for private capital, a move that would fundamentally and irreversibly reshape the incentives underpinning the competitions in which players work, compete and build their careers.

"Given the proposal's potentially far-reaching implications for player welfare, the international match calendar and the future governance of the game, it is particularly troubling that a project of this magnitude has been developed largely behind closed doors and brought close to agreement without any meaningful engagement with those most affected.

"The decision to bypass the dialogue mechanisms recently established between FIFA and FIFPRO only reinforces these concerns."

The battle over the game's integrity

For FIFPRO, the central issue is governance and the exclusion of the athletes who generate the sport's revenue. FIFPRO added: "The proposal also raises fundamental concerns about the future governance of world football and the integrity of the game. Stakeholder participation in FIFA's decision-making has always been limited.

"It must not now be displaced by commercial influence, allowing financial interests to outweigh the voices of those who play, support and sustain the game. FIFPRO Europe cannot – and will never – support such a model."

The union stressed that players will be the ones who ultimately have to deal with the consequences of these commercial changes long after the present leadership has gone. The statement concluded: "Within FIFA, neither FIFPRO nor players have a vote. Yet they will live with the consequences of these decisions long after the current FIFA leadership has moved on.

"FIFPRO Europe stands ready to work with every institution and stakeholder committed to protecting both the interests of players and the long-term integrity of the game. Football's future deserves nothing less. And neither do the players who will shape it."

Internal divisions within Europe

In spite of strong opposition from the union and several major federations, there are indications of splits within the continent. David Trunda, the president of the Czech Republic Football Association, has publicly backed the FIFA chief. Trunda said: "I can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football from working in close co-operation with Gianni Infantino and his team. Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of FIFA's intentions."

This disagreement underlines the difficulty facing those trying to build a united blockade against the plans. FIFA's strategy includes the promise of major increases in financial distribution, potentially climbing to $40 million per member association in the next cycle.