Story by: Lazalee Wanneh | West African Pilot
The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has not responded to FIFA’s controversial plan to sell off stakes in its major competitions in exchange for US$40 million, as European football’s 55 members threaten to boycott the World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to all 211 member associations offering US$40 million each if they back his proposal to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, allowing external investors to buy stakes. The plan could raise up to US$10 billion.
Associations must accept by 19 September to access an initial US$20 million, which Infantino said would be “available immediately” from 1 January 2027. In a video released on Wednesday, he called the plan “an offer, not an obligation.”
LFA President Mustapha Raji and secretary-general Emmett Crayton did not respond to inquiries sent via WhatsApp at 13:25GMT and 13:26GMT on 29 July.
One LFA Vice President, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the plan “didn’t form part of our last EC [executive committee] meeting” held on July 28.
LFA executive committee member Christian Geeplay Weah has urged Africa to support the proposal.
“Africa must support this proposal. It’s good for the development of football in Africa. Bad for Europe and others but good for us. I na say my own [I have said mine],” he wrote on Facebook at 09:32GMT on 30 July.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it received the proposal, known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, and that President Patrice Motsepe will host an executive committee meeting next week to assess and evaluate it.
CAF encouraged member associations to examine the proposal and participate in the consultation process “in accordance with CAF and FIFA’s regulations and established procedures.”
However, UEFA’s 55 member associations voted at an emergency meeting on 30 July to boycott World Cups if FIFA proceeds with the sell-off.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product… No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale,” UEFA said.
The boycott would cover all FIFA competitions and could first be tested at the Women’s World Cup play-offs in October.
Concacaf also voiced concern, saying in a statement: “We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process.”
Liberia’s official position is expected to be decided at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco on 18 March 2027, where all 211 delegates will vote.