'Hands off our game,' EU tells FIFA over private investor plans

EU Sports Chief Glenn Micallef on Wednesday hit out at FIFA's plans to sell a stake in its competitions including the World Cup, warning international football's governing body: "Hands off our game".

Micallef said the proposals also raise "important competition law considerations", noting that the top EU court recognizes that sporting rules are subject to the bloc's law "where they produce economic effects". "Particular concern arises when FIFA's regulatory powers become aligned with the financial interests of private entities.

When the value of investments depends on decisions made by FIFA, that raises profound questions about governance, independence and conflicts of interest," Micallef added.