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  • Game over Gianni! As deplorable megalomaniac Infantino's grand plan to sell off the World Cup goes up in smoke, DAILY MAIL SPORT tells the humiliated FIFA president he must RESIGN
  • Andoni Iraola's solution to Liverpool's defensive crisis: New Reds boss reveals he has no choice but to turn to youth and says it will be 'impossible' for Joe Gomez to return in time for new season
  • Why Eddie Howe could NOT carry on: CRAIG HOPE reveals the moment in Greece when Newcastle boss was 'all in' before midsummer U-turn, Joelinton's wish to leave, World Cup medical that did not happen and coup that shattered Saudi illusion
  • England and fellow UEFA nations set to unanimously BOYCOTT World Cup after FIFA's plans to sell shares to private investors - as American bloc also unites to oppose proposals
  • Harvey Elliott opens up on nightmare Aston Villa loan where he was placed into bomb squad by Unai Emery: 'I wouldn't wish that on any player'
  • Tottenham's 'bomba' signing: These are the two strikers they want, the game-changers they should be in for and the realistic targets that would fit perfectly with Roberto De Zerbi's style of play
  • Marcus Rashford sends emotional message to Barcelona fans ahead of expected return to Manchester United - after Spanish giants rejected chance to sign him for £26m
  • Arne Slot says NO to replacing inbound Newcastle boss in Saudi Arabia as he eyes top European job after being sacked by Liverpool
  • JEFF POWELL MBE: It's time England led the football world again by standing up to mafia godfather Gianni Infantino - his plan to sell the World Cup is a bribe by any other name and there's only one way we can save our sport from extinction
  • Senne Lammens cuts short his holiday after World Cup to rejoin Manchester United training - as new signing Youri Tielemans arrives at Carrington
  • Man United's next great youth movement is here - these are the six hottest talents on the brink of Michael Carrick's first team after starring in pre-season (and four youngsters who've been told they can leave)
  • 'Clicky Ponting' is just the tip of the iceberg. I've played club cricket for decades and these are the wildest stories of cheating, from vaseline to elastic bands and fattening up umpires to a trail of sawdust
  • 'Simon Jordan's conspiracy claim is irresponsible and stupid': Kristian Prenga hits out at outspoken presenter and makes bold Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury prediction
  • Inside Arsenal's Hale End academy battles: Why two wonderkids left, how Gunners missed out on Jeremy Monga, and why Spurs and Man City are beating them to targets
  • Premier League relegation odds: Where do Newcastle rank following Eddie Howe's shock exit?
  • John Stones seals Inter Milan move, Brentford close in on £41m deal for Mamadou Sangare... and Man City's talks over Ayyoub Bouaddi reach crucial stage as they also offer £1.8m for Marseille keeper: WINDOW WATCH
  • SANDRO TONALI INTERVIEW: Why Tottenham's new £100m man chose Spurs over Man City and the 'mini connection' the star already has with Roberto De Zerbi
  • Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi teases 'bomba' signing in attack - and says club's summer business is nowhere near finished despite £237m spending spree!
  • Former Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley close to buying stake in West Ham worth £150m
  • Sixty years on from THAT World Cup final... what happened to England's 1966 heroes?
  • Five stewards charged with assault after Man United fan, 49, was allegedly attacked at Old Trafford after draw with Man City last year
  • England confirm appointment of Stephen Fleming as Test coach - with former captain Joe Root returning to the role
  • Why Bradley Barcola is the perfect fit for Andoni Iraola: How 'the grasshopper' will take Liverpool to new heights, the secrets to his relentless chance creation and proof the £140m bargain solves huge problem
  • Chaos at the Commonwealth Games as HUGE crash in wheelchair race forces organisers to order a re-run as England star is left 'traumatised' at thought of losing medal

By JOHN MCGARRY, SCOTTISH CHIEF SPORTS FEATURE WRITER

Published: 18:44 EDT, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 19:04 EDT, 29 July 2026

The SFA will voice its concerns over Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell off the World Cup at an emergency meeting convened today by UEFA.

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The FIFA president wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the greatest show on earth, and has now set a September 19 deadline for its 211 member associations to sign off on the deal and access an initial payment of $20m (£15m).

Nations who don’t approve the plan by that date have been warned that they would only stand to make around a quarter of that sum.

The proposal has been slammed by UEFA, with Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham accusing Infantino of ‘selling out’.

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The staggering development will be discussed by the 55 members of UEFA, with SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and president Mike Mulraney in attendance.

Although Mulraney is in a difficult position as chair of FIFA’s financial committee, it’s understood that Maxwell will make his association’s misgivings abundantly clear.

Gianni Infantino has caused outrage with his plans to sell off the rights to the World Cup

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Hampden chiefs are believed to be stunned by the lack of detail in the proposal as well as the haste with which Infantino is trying to push it through.

Hard on the heels of jaw-dropping ticket prices for this summer’s World Cup, the plan has been met with widespread outrage among football supporters.

If approved by national associations and the FIFA Council, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), would allow the ruling body to ‘consolidate’ its commercial and event operations.

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FIFA insists the creation of FFE would lead to a significant increase in football development funding to national associations and bring FIFA’s total planned spending on development to more than 10 billion US dollars (£7.5bn) over the next four years.

Critics claim selling equity to private investors will open the door to the World Cup being staged every two years.

FIFA also said the plan was to ‘carefully select long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests in FFE’.

It’s since emerged, however, that Thrive Eternal, a company launched in April by Joshua Kushner, the brother of President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, would lead the proposed investor group for FFE.

This revelation came after Trump successfully lobbied FIFA to have the suspension for US striker Folarin Balogun removed so he could face Belgium in a last 16 clash.

Having initially claimed that the plan ‘crossed a line’, UEFA has since accused FIFA of ‘using our sport to enrich themselves and their friends’ after details of the September 19 deadline emerged.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell is expected to voice his disapproval at the UEFA meeting

‘Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan,’ said European football’s governing body in a statement.

‘But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme. FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends.

‘We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.’

Although the Czech Republic have voiced support for the plan, they appear to be the only European nation supporting Infantino.

It’s believed that all options, including a boycott of FIFA tournaments and a potential breakaway, will be on the table at today’s meeting.

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  • Game over Gianni! As deplorable megalomaniac Infantino's grand plan to sell off the World Cup goes up in...
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