{
  "id": 1865210,
  "title": "Premier League chief says Fifa self-destructed over World Cup plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/premier-league-chief-says-fifa-self-destructed-over-world-cup-plan",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-19T04:47:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/premier-league-chief-says-fifa-self-destructed-over-world-cup-plan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Premier League chief Richard Masters has harshly criticized Fifa president Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off proposal, describing it as a self-inflicted \"self-destruct button\" that has negatively impacted the organization. Infantino attempted to create a new company, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. However, the plan was abandoned after receiving criticism from multiple confederations, including UEFA, which has threatened to boycott FIFA events.\n\nMasters also called for a new candidate to run for the FIFA presidency, urging the creation of a \"unity candidate\" who could bring together all federations and push for reform within FIFA. He expressed concerns about FIFA's lack of a clear red card review process, particularly in light of the controversial red card shown to USA striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. Masters believes that FIFA should maintain its not-for-profit status and protect the integrity of the World Cup, rather than selling off a stake in the tournament.",
  "summary": "Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan, saying the organisation has “pressed the self-destruct button” by delivering “a self-inflicted wound”. Infantino is under increasing pressure over his attempt, later abandoned, to create a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Premier League chief says Fifa self-destructed over World Cup plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/premier-league-chief-says-fifa-self-destructed-over-world-cup-plan-1855385",
        "published": "2026-08-18T22:40:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}