The vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB), Hans-Joachim Watzke, has strongly criticised FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell stakes in its competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, describing the move as “an outright attack on football.”
FIFA on Tuesday announced plans to establish a semi-private subsidiary that would sell part of its commercial interests in the World Cup and other competitions in a bid to raise approximately $4.2 billion.
The proposal is subject to approval by FIFA’s 38-member Council and a majority of its 211 member associations. FIFA said it intends to present the plan to the Council in the near future.
Watzke, who also serves as president of Borussia Dortmund and vice-president of UEFA’s executive committee, joined growing criticism of the proposal.
“Many in European football see FIFA’s plans as an outright attack on football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here,” Watzke told Kicker.
He added that opposition to the proposal is widespread among European football associations following discussions with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and other officials.
“There is broad agreement on this among the member associations, as several conversations I’ve had with Aleksander Čeferin and other colleagues in recent days have shown me,” he said.
The 67-year-old football executive also pointed to Europe’s dominance at the recent World Cup, suggesting that a united European stance could significantly influence the outcome of the proposal.
“At the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarter-finals and three the semi-finals.
“If European football stands united against these plans, that carries a great deal of weight,” Watzke said.
UEFA has also condemned the proposal, describing it as a move to sell the “soul” of football, while CONCACAF expressed “deep concern” over what it called a lack of due process.
Earlier this month, the DFB confirmed it declined to sign a letter endorsing FIFA President Gianni Infantino for re-election, despite reports that he had secured backing from more than 200 FIFA member associations.
