The China Mail - FIFA proposal 'an outright attack on football', says DFB vice-president

FIFA announced Tuesday it was set to create a semi-private subsidiary which would sell part of its business operations in the World Cup and other competitions, hoping to raise $4.2 billion.

The plan would still have to be approved by the 38-member FIFA council and the majority of its 211 member associations. FIFA said it intends to present the plans to the council soon.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the DFB vice-president who is also president of Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and a vice-president of UEFA's executive committee, joined the chorus critical of the proposal.

"Many in European football see FIFA's plans as an outright attack on football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here," Watzke told Germany's Kicker.

"There is broad agreement on this among the member associations, as several conversations I've had with (UEFA boss) Aleksander Ceferin and other colleagues in recent days have shown me."

Watzke, 67, highlighted the performances of European nations at the World Cup, hinting that European federations may unite to oppose the deal.

"At the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarter-finals and three the semi-finals.

"If European football stands united against these plans, that carries a great deal of weight."

European football's governing body UEFA, which has been critical of Infantino, criticised the plan as a proposed sale of the game's "soul".

CONCACAF, which governs North and Central American football, said it was "deeply concerned by the lack of due process".

Earlier in July, the DFB confirmed to AFP subsidiary SID it refused to sign a letter supporting Infantino's re-election, despite the Swiss reportedly winning the support of more than 200 member associations.

O.Yip--ThChM