German footballing administrative heavyweight Hans-Joachim Watzke has sharply criticized FIFA’s plans to open the commercial rights connected to its most important competitions to private investors.
FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that it intends to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary encompassing commercial and event operations related to competitions including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup. Outside investors could purchase minority shares in the new company.
Watzke’s criticism remains particularly noteworthy given his prominent role in promoting the DFL’s failed investor project. The former DFL executive committee spokesman defended plans to grant an outside partner a temporary share of central licensing revenues, insisting that the Bundesliga would retain full control.
That process was abandoned in February 2024 following sustained supporter protests. The FIFA proposal nevertheless goes farther by offering investors actual equity in a newly created commercial subsidiary.
Watzke – who holds a prominent UEFA position – claimed that considerable opposition exists among Europe’s national associations.
Watzke: “A line is being crossed”
“Many in European football view FIFA’s plans as an absolute attack on football,” Watzke told Kicker. “I share that position. A line is being crossed here.”
“There is great unity on this issue among the member associations,” Watzke continued. “That has been demonstrated by several conversations I have held with [UEFA President] Aleksander Ceferin and other colleagues over the past few days.”
Watzke believes a united European response would carry considerable influence.
“At the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarterfinals and three reached the semifinals,” he said. “If European football stands together against these plans, that carries a great deal of weight.”
