BERLIN, July 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The vice-president of the German FA (DFB) 
on Wednesday slammed FIFA's controversial plans to sell stakes in its 
competitions, including the World Cup, as "an outright attack on football".

FIFA announced Tuesday it was set to create a semi-private subsidiary which 
would sell part of its business operations in the World Cup and other 
competitions, hoping to raise $4.2 billion.

The plan would still have to be approved by the 38-member FIFA council and 
the majority of its 211 member associations. FIFA said it intends to present 
the plans to the council soon.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the DFB vice-president who is also president of 
Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and a vice-president of UEFA's executive 
committee, joined the chorus critical of the proposal.

"Many in European football see FIFA's plans as an outright attack on 
football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here," Watzke told 
Germany's Kicker.

"There is broad agreement on this among the member associations, as several 
conversations I've had with (UEFA boss) Aleksander Ceferin and other 
colleagues in recent days have shown me."

Watzke, 67, highlighted the performances of European nations at the World 
Cup, hinting that European federations may unite to oppose the deal.

"At the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarter-finals and three 
the semi-finals.

"If European football stands united against these plans, that carries a great 
deal of weight."

Max Eberl, the sporting director of Dortmund rival Bayern Munich, echoed 
Watzke's comments, saying the proposal was "shameful" and indicated FIFA's 
true priorities.

"I am ashamed that we in football are even discussing such ideas," Eberl said 
Wednesday, adding the proposal goes beyond what is usually accepted in 
football business.

"Right now, I get the feeling that FIFA exists solely to make a profit. It 
feels like the only goal is to rake in money from every possible avenue.

"I consider myself a child of football -- I've been involved in the sport for 
decades -- and even I find this disgusting."

European football's governing body UEFA, which has been critical of 
Infantino, criticised the plan as a proposed sale of the game's "soul".

CONCACAF, which governs North and Central American football, said it was 
"deeply concerned by the lack of due process".

Earlier in July, the DFB confirmed to AFP subsidiary SID it refused to sign a 
letter supporting Infantino's re-election, despite the Swiss reportedly 
winning the support of more than 200 member associations.