FIFA World Cup Stake Sale Controversy

OK, we are going to start, though, with an extraordinary story

around the World Cup, which has emerged this afternoon.

It was first reported by Martin Ziegler in The Times.

It involves Gianni Infantino, who is reportedly planning to sell

stakes in the World Cup to private investors,

which would potentially earn him millions of pounds.

Since the story has emerged, UEFA have hit out at FIFA

in a very powerful statement.

This is what they've had to say,

that the sole and governance of football are not assets to trade, they say.

This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross.

UEFA takes it extremely seriously,

so should every national football association.

So should every stakeholder,

leagues,

clubs, players, supporters, governments, and everyone who cares about the future of the game.

The sole and governance of football are not assets to trade,

especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.

None of us are the owners of football.

It is not, they go on to say.

FIFA is a not-for-profit organisation owned by the 211 associations

that make up its membership.

As an association of associations, it does enjoy a tax- free status in Switzerland,

where it's based. Its revenue for the season is

£1.5 billion, the majority of which comes from TV rights, sponsorship,

and ticket and hospitality sales from the men's World Cup this summer.