Despite a growing majority of national football federations coming out against the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise project (FFE), Luxembourg's Paul Philipp believes FIFA will not back down easily. "I am still expecting a counteroffensive, to use that rather old-fashioned word", the president of the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) told RTL.
On Tuesday, football's world governing body FIFA had announced plans to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. Under the proposal, private investors would be allowed to acquire stakes in the company but would remain minority shareholders, FIFA said.
Philipp went on to warn:
That is why we should not assume that the matter is already settled. The project is likely further along than any of us realise or know. There is a real possibility that there may be no turning back.
Philipp did note, however, that the unified position taken by European federations is a positive development. At an emergency meeting of UEFA, all 55 member associations unanimously spoke out against FIFA's plans.
Philipp considers this a powerful signal from European football, even as he acknowledges that the debate over the FFE project is far from over.
FIFA has since responded to the mounting opposition, issuing a statement insisting that it is taking the criticism from member federations seriously. At the same time, the global football body made clear it intends to push ahead with the project regardless.
"No one is selling football", FIFA stated in its press release.
Nonetheless, these reassurances have done little to dispel doubts. UEFA continues to threaten a boycott of FIFA competitions should the FFE be established.
