Czech FA president David Tundra has endorsed Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to privatise part of the World Cup’s commercial rights.
Czech Football Association (FACR) president David Tundra threw his weight behind FIFA chief Gianni Infantino’s plans on Wednesday to partially privatise the management of the World Cup. Tundra argued the move could offer significant “advantages” to the domestic game, though he remains eager for further clarification.
“I see pragmatic advantages for Czech football in collaborating with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his team,” the head of the Czech Republic told digital news outlet ‘TN.cz’.
FIFA intends to launch a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to oversee a portion of its commercial rights and distribute up to $40 million to each of its 211 member associations, though the venture still requires formal approval from these bodies.
Accessing these funds is contingent upon the associations granting their consent before the 19 September deadline.
“Of course, we need more details, but from my personal perspective, I perceive a positive impact in FIFA’s intentions,” declared Tundra, who aims to formalise the Central European nation’s support during the FACR executive committee meeting on 11 August.
“On a personal note, every project I have been involved in with FIFA has been hugely positive for the development of European football,” he maintained.
Tundra, who assumed his role just over a year ago, acknowledged he requires more specifics regarding Infantino’s blueprint, which has already ignited fierce backlash and drawn sharp criticism from UEFA, with some members even mooting a potential World Cup boycott.
“The soul and governance of football are not commodities to be traded, especially when there is zero transparency over who benefits financially,” UEFA stated. The governing body added: “None of us own football; FIFA has no right to sell it.”
