Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has defended FIFA’s proposal to sell a 20 per cent stake in the FIFA World Cup and other competitions, urging critics to assess the initiative on its merits 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 a proven record of implementing reforms that have significantly benefited member associations.

FIFA on Tuesday unveiled plans to open a minority stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors, a move that has drawn strong criticism from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and other stakeholders.

Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Thursday, Pinnick said the proposal was aimed at increasing revenue for FIFA’s member associations rather than undermining the global game.

“First, I will say that I am not totally equipped to speak on this issue. I have not seen any mail to that effect,” Pinnick said.

“One thing I know is that Gianni does not just wake up and give a proposal. He consults extensively. Gianni is driven and very audacious. A lot of people in the football family do not like it.”

Pinnick recalled his first meeting with Infantino during the latter’s campaign for the FIFA presidency, saying the Swiss administrator had promised to significantly increase funding for football associations worldwide.

“When he was campaigning to be president of FIFA, he came to me in Rwanda. He requested to see me personally. I told him, ‘What do you want to see?’ And he said, ‘Please, Pinnick, give me just three minutes of your time.’

“I sat with him, and he told me, ‘Now you receive $200,000. Once I get elected, you will now start receiving $1.25 million.’ I said, ‘That is a big lie. Where do you want to get the money from?’

“He said, ‘We did it in UEFA. We turned UEFA around, and we can also do it in FIFA. I have seen my books and consulted.’

“When he got elected, he immediately started paying $1.25 million. For a cycle, each FA was getting about $6 million.”

Pinnick argued that Infantino was merely presenting a proposal, stressing that FIFA’s decision-making process allows member associations to either approve or reject such initiatives.

“Gianni is making a proposal. As president of FIFA or as a head of an organisation, you can bring out a proposal. It behoves you to accept it or not. Don’t call everything a controversy. He has a right to bring out a proposal.”

Drawing parallels with previous FIFA administrations, Pinnick referenced former FIFA president João Havelange’s commercial reforms, which were later continued under Sepp Blatter.

“João Havelange brought out a proposal years ago; it passed. It was the International Sports and Leisure (ISL), which was inherited by Sepp Blatter, who was the general secretary and later the president. Today, the rest is history.”

He further argued that the proposal could significantly reduce member associations’ dependence on government funding.

“The world is evolving. As the world is evolving, you look at things. Gianni has said, ‘This is my proposal.’ Who would be the main beneficiary? The shareholders are the member football associations—Nigeria FA, Niger FA, Ghana FA and South African FA. These are the main beneficiaries.

“He said clearly, once this is done, the Mas will receive $20 million. They have also got the FIFA Forward Programme. You can also access another $20 million. So if, for example, you have $40 million, trust me, you don’t need a government to run football.”

Pinnick, however, stressed that attention should instead be focused on transparency and accountability in managing the funds generated by the proposal.

“What people should be bothered about is the integrity of the funds, the integrity of the personnel, the people, the consortium, or, if you like, the company.

“Are these companies quoted on stock exchanges all over the world? These are things people should be bothered about. And the use of the funds. I know FIFA also has its control mechanisms. So to me, we shouldn’t just sit down. We should celebrate the huge success.” (The Nation)