Former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has backed a FIFA proposal to sell a stake in the commercial operations of the World Cup and other competitions, saying the plan should be assessed on its merits rather than dismissed as controversial.
Pinnick, who is deputy chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, told Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Thursday that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has a record of reforms that have delivered tangible benefits to member associations.
The proposal, announced by FIFA this week, would allow private investors to take a stake in a semi-private subsidiary handling commercial rights for the World Cup and other tournaments. It has already drawn criticism from UEFA and other stakeholders.
“First, I will say that I am not totally equipped to speak on this issue. I have not seen any mail to that effect. One thing I know is that Gianni does not just wake up and give a proposal. He consults extensively,” Pinnick said.
He recalled Infantino’s earlier pledge during his presidential campaign to raise annual payments to member associations from $200,000 to $1.25 million — a commitment that was later fulfilled, with associations receiving about $6 million per cycle.
“Gianni is making a proposal. As president of FIFA or the head of an organisation, you have the right to make a proposal. It behoves members to accept it or reject it. We shouldn’t call everything a controversy,” he added.
Pinnick stressed that the main beneficiaries would be the member associations themselves. “The shareholders are the member football associations, Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, South Africa and others. These are the main beneficiaries.”
He suggested associations could receive up to $20 million from the initiative on top of existing FIFA Forward funding. “If, for example, you have $40 million, trust me, you don’t need government to run football. What people should be concerned about is the integrity of the funds, the integrity of the people involved, the consortium or company, and how the funds are utilised.”
Addressing fears that private investors might influence decision-making, Pinnick pointed to past reforms that faced initial resistance. “When VAR was introduced, there was a lot of criticism. Today, VAR has come to stay.”
He also played down reports of contact between US President Donald Trump and Infantino over a refereeing decision, saying such calls should not automatically be seen as interference. “If the President of America calls Gianni, will Gianni not pick up his call? Definitely, he will. But because the President of America called Gianni, it becomes a story. I know what he did; he did according to the books and the statutes.”
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football and other stakeholders have criticised the reported plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial operations.
