Uefa Seeks Independent Review of Fifa's $4.2 Billion World Cup Sale Plan
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 6
Uefa Seeks Independent Review of Fifa's $4.2 Billion World Cup Sale Plan
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 6
Summary
Uefa is preparing an independent valuation of Fifa’s abandoned World Cup sale plan, focusing on whether a 21% stake offered to Thrive Capital for $4.2 billion undervalued the tournament’s future profits.
The move follows Gianni Infantino’s written apology over a proposal he later called “a mistake,” with Uefa still pushing for his removal and questioning how Fifa arrived at a $20 billion valuation without evidence of a competitive tender.
Market analysts cited by Uefa see the price as potentially low because Fifa generated $15 billion in the latest four-year cycle and the proposal appeared not to price in expansion through more teams or additional tournaments.
Uefa, whose 55 members had threatened a boycott before Fifa’s U-turn last week, is also demanding a broader governance review and has raised the prospect of legal action.
Fifa has publicly rallied behind Infantino after internal criticism from senior figures, suggesting any further pressure for change is now likely to come from outside the organization.