FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated that the world football governing body may distribute a greater amount of money to its member associations from its estimated £4.4bn cash reserves.
In a letter sent to FIFA’s six continental confederations on Monday, which was seen by BBC Sport, Infantino stated his support for delivering “the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered.”
The move comes after UEFA and Concacaf demanded that FIFA pay $10m (£7.5m) to each of its 211 member associations from its reserves. The proposal is set to be reviewed by the FIFA Council during a meeting on 15 October.
“I will not prejudge the amount,” Infantino wrote in the correspondence, adding that while a single figure can start the discussion, it cannot define a global policy.
Infantino has faced mounting pressure regarding his abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, which proposed selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors. The initiative triggered significant criticism and calls for his resignation. In defending the failed proposal, Infantino maintained that it was intended to generate extra revenue to reinvest in the sport.
Earlier this month, Debbie Hewitt, chair of the Football Association and a FIFA vice-president, urged Infantino to release all documents related to the controversial plan and requested an independent review of the FFE.
Infantino is set to stand for a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027, with opponents having until 18 November to field an alternative candidate.
Wait, the meeting is in October? That feels like a delay tactic to let the heat die down.
Is this just damage control? He needs to release those documents, not just write a letter.
Good move finally. The reserves were way too high while grassroots football starved for cash.