Rome, 29 July (LaPresse) – “This isn’t baseball. The World Cup remains the biggest sporting tournament on the planet, despite FIFA exploiting every commercial opportunity. But enough is enough. The relentless commercialisation of football has become corrosive. It is threatening what has made football the most popular sport in the world.” So writes the EU Commissioner for Sport, Glenn Micallef, in X, harshly criticising FIFA’s new plan to set up a subsidiary, the FFE, to consolidate its commercial activities. “I, too, support UEFA and the calls from stakeholders for greater oversight. Every football association must engage meaningfully – including with leagues, clubs, players and fans – before taking a position. Commercial success should strengthen football, not consume it. Hands off our sport,” he added.
EU criticises FIFA’s commercial plan: ‘Hands off our sport’
Rome, 29 July (LaPresse) – “This isn’t baseball. The World Cup remains the biggest sporting tournament on the planet, despite FIFA exploiting every commercial opportunity. But enough is enough. The relentless commercialisation of football has become corrosive. It is threatening what has made football the most popular sport in the world.” So writes the EU Commissioner for Sport, Glenn Micallef, in X, harshly criticising FIFA’s new plan to set up a subsidiary, the FFE, to consolidate its commercial activities. “I, too, support UEFA and the calls from stakeholders for greater oversight. Every football association must engage meaningfully – including with leagues, clubs, players and fans – before taking a position. Commercial success should strengthen football, not consume it. Hands off our sport,” he added.