EU Commissioner for FIFA: Keep Your Hands Off Our Game

Glenn Micalef, the European Commissioner for Youth, Culture, Sports and Education, strongly condemned on Wednesday the International Federation of Association Football’s (FIFA) project to open the door to private-sector investors, saying, “Keep your hands off our game.”

In a post on X, Micalef argued that “these proposals raise important questions regarding competition law,” adding, “The ongoing commodification of football is corrupting it. Commercial success should enhance football, not consume it.”

FIFA revealed on Tuesday its plan to establish a company to manage its commercial activities, organize the World Cup and its other tournaments, and increase “funding allocated to the development of football,” by attracting external investors, a move that sparked negative reactions.

In a statement, FIFA clarified that its management “is considering the idea of consolidating all commercial rights, including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticket sales, and licensing... through the creation of a FIFA Forward Enterprise.”

It added that “FIFA will invite external parties to make minority investments without control rights” within this company.

On Wednesday, Micalef stated that these proposals also raise “important considerations related to competition law,” noting that the European Court of Justice rules that sports rules must comply with antitrust laws “when they have economic effects.”

He noted that the European Commission would carefully review these plans within its jurisdiction, adding, “There is particular concern when FIFA’s regulatory authorities align with the financial interests of private entities, and when the value of investments becomes tied to decisions made by FIFA. This raises profound questions about governance, independence, and conflicts of interest.”