Trending 
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have called on the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to release about $2.1 billion from its reserves to its 211 member associations.
The two continental bodies made the request in a letter sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday.
European football chief Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani signed the letter.
They proposed that each FIFA member association receive $10 million during the 2027–2030 cycle.
The funds would support football development and infrastructure across member countries.
The request is the latest development in a dispute over FIFA’s plans to raise money through private investment.
Infantino had sought to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.
The plan faced strong opposition and was eventually shelved after UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.
Infantino has said the proposal was designed to raise more money for football worldwide.
However, Ceferin and Montagliani said FIFA could use its own reserves instead.
FIFA’s cash reserves are estimated at about $6 billion.
“FIFA already has the capacity to deliver substantially more to its MAs from its own balance sheet – without any sale of interests in its competitions,” the letter said.
The proposal would involve a one-off payment of about $2.1 billion.
It would also come on top of FIFA’s existing development funding.
Under Infantino, annual development support has increased to $8 million per member association over a four-year cycle.
UEFA and CONCACAF said they would present recommendations on how to distribute the new funds at the next FIFA Council meeting.
The letter came a day after England Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt asked Infantino to release details of the private equity plan.
Hewitt also requested documents on FIFA’s decision to suspend a ban against United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.
The suspension followed a phone call between United States (US) President Donald Trump and Infantino, according to the report.
