Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has defended FIFA’s proposal to sell a 20 per cent stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and other competitions, urging critics to evaluate the initiative objectively rather than dismiss it outright. Pinnick, who serves as Deputy Chairman of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, said FIFA President Gianni Infantino has consistently introduced reforms that have strengthened football development and increased financial support for member associations.
FIFA recently announced plans to offer a minority stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup and other major tournaments to private investors, a proposal that has attracted criticism from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and other stakeholders. Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television, Pinnick said he had not yet received official communication on the proposal but insisted that Infantino was known for consulting widely before introducing major policy initiatives. According to him, the FIFA president has demonstrated bold leadership by pursuing reforms aimed at improving the global football ecosystem.
Pinnick recalled his first meeting with Infantino during the latter’s campaign for the FIFA presidency in Rwanda, where the Swiss football administrator promised to significantly increase financial support for football associations. He said he initially doubted the promise when Infantino claimed FIFA grants would rise from about $200,000 to $1.25 million for member associations, but noted that the pledge was eventually fulfilled, reflecting Infantino’s commitment to expanding football funding worldwide.
He stressed that the proposed sale remains only a proposal and should not be treated as a controversy, explaining that FIFA’s governance structure allows member associations to deliberate on and either approve or reject such initiatives. Pinnick maintained that every organisation’s leadership has the right to present ideas for consideration, adding that the final decision rests with FIFA’s member associations.
Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has defended FIFA’s proposal to sell a 20 per cent stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and other competitions, urging critics to evaluate the initiative objectively rather than dismiss it outright. Pinnick, who serves as Deputy Chairman of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, said FIFA President Gianni Infantino has consistently introduced reforms that have strengthened football development and increased financial support for member associations.
FIFA recently announced plans to offer a minority stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup and other major tournaments to private investors, a proposal that has attracted criticism from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and other stakeholders. Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television, Pinnick said he had not yet received official communication on the proposal but insisted that Infantino was known for consulting widely before introducing major policy initiatives. According to him, the FIFA president has demonstrated bold leadership by pursuing reforms aimed at improving the global football ecosystem.
Pinnick recalled his first meeting with Infantino during the latter’s campaign for the FIFA presidency in Rwanda, where the Swiss football administrator promised to significantly increase financial support for football associations. He said he initially doubted the promise when Infantino claimed FIFA grants would rise from about $200,000 to $1.25 million for member associations, but noted that the pledge was eventually fulfilled, reflecting Infantino’s commitment to expanding football funding worldwide.
He stressed that the proposed sale remains only a proposal and should not be treated as a controversy, explaining that FIFA’s governance structure allows member associations to deliberate on and either approve or reject such initiatives. Pinnick maintained that every organisation’s leadership has the right to present ideas for consideration, adding that the final decision rests with FIFA’s member associations.
