FIFA chiefs criticise media for 'misreporting' World Cup sell-off plans
Fifa wants to create a €17 billion subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), and give a 20 percent stake in the operation to external investors.
European football's ruling organisation Uefa has led the protests against the proposal, accusing Fifa of putting the sport up for sale.
On Thursday, Uefa's 55 member nations voted unanimously to boycott all Fifa tournaments – including the World Cup – if Fifa continues to promote its plans.
“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation,” Fifa said in a statement.
“Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each [Member Association] has the ability to express its vote based on facts," it said in a statement. "Nobody is selling football. This is not something Fifa would ever entertain."
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Investment group
Thrive Eternal, a fund run by Thrive Capital – founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump – is expected to lead the proposed investor group, Fifa said.
"Everyone has the right to express their opposition and to seek further clarification but no single entity can claim to represent all 211 MAs around the world," Fifa added. "Each MA should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future. These are the democratic principles of Fifa."
Concacaf, the regional federation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, rejected the proposal during a meeting on Thursday. But the 41-member body did not follow Uefa with a boycott threat.
The Asian Football Confederation, which has 47 members, warned Fifa's proposal would never succeed without the support of all six regional blocs which comprise Fifa.
"The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a Fifa World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game," the AFC said in a statement.
"Football should never have been placed in such a position."
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'Football for the fans'
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said in a letter to all football associations this week that they would receive €34 million each if they agreed to Fifa's proposal by 19 September.
On Friday, Fifa stressed that it would not go ahead with the plan without the support of the majority of its 211 member associations.
"These principles underpin the FFE proposal: unprecedented development funding, truly global ownership of the commercial opportunities of our sport, and full self-determination through a democratic process for all MAs," it added.
Xabi Alonso, the new manager at the English Premier League club Chelsea, said on Friday that football had to prioritise the people who watch the game, not private interests.
"The way we love football is like this," said the Spaniard, who was part of the team that won the World Cup in 2010. "And we have just seen a great World Cup. If things stay this way, then good."