Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has criticised FIFA’s proposal to sell stakes in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup, insisting that football should remain accessible to everyone rather than being controlled by private investors.
Speaking on Friday, July 31, during Chelsea’s pre season tour in Sydney, the former Spain international backed UEFA’s opposition to plans that could allow private equity firms to invest in the business side of football’s biggest tournament.
“Football has to be for the people”
Alonso said football’s appeal lies in its connection with supporters and warned against placing the sport under private ownership.
“I think that football has to be for the people, not in private hands. And I think that’s the way we love it. We have seen a great World Cup, and some things should stay the same way. So it’s good to defend the interests of other people.”
His comments come amid growing resistance to FIFA’s proposal to establish a commercial subsidiary that would oversee the business operations of the World Cup and potentially attract private investment.
UEFA opposes FIFA proposal
UEFA has already voiced strong opposition to the initiative, warning that football should not be driven primarily by commercial interests.
According to the European governing body, the future of the sport should not be dictated by investors whose main objective is to maximise financial returns.
Despite the criticism, FIFA has maintained that it will continue consultations with stakeholders, describing the process as open and democratic.
The organisation believes the proposed restructuring could generate as much as $4.2 billion in additional revenue.
Alonso hopes plan is abandoned
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner expressed hope that football authorities would preserve the sport’s current structure.
“I think that it’s the common feeling of football people that we want something that we keep in the hands of everyone, that it’s for all the people. So hopefully it won’t happen.”
He added that football’s authenticity is what continues to attract fans around the world.
“Hopefully, we’ll keep the game as attractive and as authentic as we like it. That’s why it creates these emotions and these passions we see in the World Cup, the Champions League and the Premier League, because it’s for everyone.”
Proposal awaits approval
For the proposal to become reality, it must receive approval from the 38 member FIFA Council as well as a majority of FIFA’s 211 member associations.
Alonso’s remarks came shortly after Chelsea’s 6-4 pre season victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, his first match in charge of the club. The Blues are next scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur in another pre season fixture in Sydney.
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