Keith Wyness defends FIFA and under-fire Gianni Infantino as date set for World Cup proposal: 'I can't see a problem'
FIFA deserve more patience from the other footballing authorities amid uproar surrounding their plan to sell off shares in the World Cup to private investors.
That is according to former Everton chief executive and ex-Premier League board member Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that it is almost inevitable that the proposition will come to fruition.
FIFA are proposing to sell shares in its major tournaments, with the intention of raising a further £7.5billion in development funding for football authorities across the world.
Wyness has come to the defence of the governing body, and has made it clear that he "can't see a problem" with their plan, provided that the money is used in the correct ways for development.
Gianni Infantino's plan is set to see up to £73million in funding available for FIFA member countries across the next 12 years, with £20m set to be available immediately for every nation.
The plan is for a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprises to be set up, with the door opened for third parties to make non-controlling investments.
Keith Wyness shares pivotal date for FIFA plan
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that FIFA are making a promising move, provided that the money is used correctly and as advertised.
The Scottish businessman has made it clear that the newfound funding should only be used for development if the proposal is passed, and outlined that it would be wrong if it fell into the pockets of powerful individuals.
He also indicated that there is little chance of FIFA's plan not coming to fruition, with football associations across the world having until 19 September to either support or side against the proposal.
“I understand it was a leak and not a pre-planned announcement from FIFA, and I think that has put things on the back foot in terms of the PR side of the whole announcement," he said.
“There’s going to be the commercial interests of FIFA put into a public company, with private investors coming into it, and that will create a value that will then flow back to the many countries in FIFA.
“In this particular case with FIFA, what they’re talking about is a big increase in the money going to the smaller countries. The key to me will be not only the detail coming out, but also the way that they control how that money is spent.
“If there are whiffs of corruption and the money is then going into people’s pockets, that will be the big problem. But if it genuinely goes to football development in all those countries around the world, then I really can’t see a problem.
“It’s a well-trodden path about taking some assets and going to public investment. They were talking about an £86m budget each over the next 12 years; that’s a lot of money reinvested into football.
"To me, the key will be the governance of how that money is spent, and to make sure it goes into the right areas. FIFA have the time to do that, and 19 September is the date when there’s going to be approval of this for the first stage. I can’t see any way that this will not go through."
Keith Hackett calls for Gianni Infantino's overthrow
Former FIFA referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett told Football Insider earlier this week that the FIFA member countries need to come together to vote Infantino out of presidential office.
The Swiss-born businessman has been in the spotlight regularly of late, after a World Cup that saw plenty of controversial moments off the pitch.
Hackett believes that while Infantino has brought in some "extra cash" during his reign, he believes he hasn't done FIFA's services "as well as he could've done."
The former official outlined that each of the 211 FIFA members have a right to vote Infantino out of office, and didn't hold back in saying that he believes he "needs to go."