FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plans to sell the World Cup have sparked outrage. Bayern Munich sporting director Eberl called the move "shameful" on Wednesday. "I am ashamed that the football community is even discussing such ideas. Football does not belong to us," the 52-year-old official said.
Eberl said he felt FIFA "only cares about making money, which disgusts me." He supported UEFA discussing a boycott of the World Cup at its crisis meeting: "I've always supported dialogue. But if it really comes to that, I would definitely agree with Europe taking a firm stance and saying, no, we won't participate."
Borussia Dortmund advisor Mattias Sammer expressed a more cautious view on the topic at an international coaching conference in Mainz on Wednesday: "Infantino must first and foremost consider everyone's perspective; that's his and FIFA's responsibility. This line has always been difficult to maintain," Sammer said. However, he also believes that "interference with the fairness of the game" would be dangerous. Sammer emphasized that putting "the emotional credibility of football" at risk would touch "the very foundation of football."
Darmstadt 98 coach Kohfeldt also offered strong criticism: "As an ordinary person, I think this is simply a disaster," he stated bluntly. "The game itself and the viewing experience are becoming increasingly distant from us. I find this unacceptable." Poser, who took over as coach of Union Berlin's women's team this season, said he would lose some of his faith and enjoyment as a result. Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß said he "can't see any benefit in this."
On Tuesday, multiple media outlets reported that FIFA President Gianni Infantino planned to transfer World Cup shares to private investors through a newly established subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). FIFA subsequently confirmed the plan in a statement.
