Real Madrid have backed FIFA‘s decision to withdraw plans to sell a minority stake in the commercial rights of the men’s and women’s World Cups, as pressure mounted on FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the controversial proposal.
- +Real Madrid backs FIFA’s World Cup stake sale U-turn
The 15-time UEFA Champions League winners described the move as “good news for football” after widespread opposition forced FIFA to abandon plans to open its flagship competitions to private investors.
The 15-time UEFA Champions League winners described the move as “good news for football” after widespread opposition forced FIFA to abandon plans to open its flagship competitions to private investors.
Infantino’s proposal had sought to create a new commercial entity through which FIFA would sell minority stakes in the commercial rights of its major tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.
The plan faced strong criticism from football stakeholders worldwide, as UEFA and various continental confederations contended that football’s most prestigious competitions should not be treated as investment assets.
In a statement, Real Madrid welcomed FIFA’s decision to abandon the proposal and praised the football institutions that opposed it.
“Real Madrid welcomes FIFA’s decision to abandon its proposal for the partial sale of the commercial rights to its competitions.
“Our club believes this is good news for football, its institutions, and above all, for the millions of fans of our beloved sport.”
The Spanish giants also expressed appreciation to UEFA, football confederations, national associations and other institutions for standing against the proposal.
“Real Madrid wishes to express its gratitude to UEFA, the confederations and federations, and all the institutions that firmly and responsibly opposed this project. Their unity and sense of duty protected football at a crucial moment.”
Although the club did not mention Infantino by name, its statement underscored support for the campaign that ultimately led to the proposal’s withdrawal.
Real Madrid argued that clubs remain the foundation of international football because they develop the players who compete at major tournaments.
The club maintained that the World Cup belongs to fans and the wider football community rather than private investors.
“International football and the World Cup are, above all, events of public interest, and they constitute a heritage that belongs to nations, fans, and society as a whole.
“Therefore, we believe they should never be treated as mere financial assets to be traded for the benefit of a select few.”
The Spanish club also rejected any future attempt to commercialise football’s revenues without recognising the financial burden carried by clubs.
“Real Madrid firmly opposes any attempt to sell future commercial revenue from competitions without assuming any of the associated costs or risks.
“It is the clubs that bear these costs and risks, and any initiative that seeks to appropriate future football revenue without assuming the responsibilities that generate it is unacceptable and should never be considered again.”
Infantino’s proposal had triggered one of the biggest governance disputes in recent football history, with UEFA reportedly warning of a boycott of FIFA competitions before the governing body ultimately withdrew the plan.
