Xabi Alonso Opposes FIFA World Cup Investment Plan, Says Football Must Remain ‘For the People’

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has spoken out against FIFA's proposal to sell stakes in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup, insisting that football should remain in the hands of its fans rather than private investors.

Speaking on Friday during Chelsea's pre-season tour in Sydney, the former Spain international backed UEFA's opposition to FIFA's plan to establish a commercial subsidiary for its major tournaments and attract private equity investment.

"I think that football has to be for the people, not in private hands," Alonso said. "That's the way we love it. We have seen a great World Cup, and some things should stay the same way. It's good to defend the interests of the people."

The former World Cup winner's comments come amid growing resistance to FIFA's proposal, which has already been criticised by UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

UEFA has warned that it is prepared to boycott FIFA competitions over the proposal, arguing that the future of football should not be shaped by investors whose primary objective is to maximise financial returns.

Despite the opposition, FIFA has maintained that it will continue with what it describes as an "open and democratic" consultation process with stakeholders, saying the proposed commercial restructuring could generate up to $4.2 billion for the global game.

Alonso, who played a key role in Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup triumph, expressed hope that the proposal would ultimately be abandoned.

"I think it's the common feeling of football people that we want something that we keep in the hands of everyone, that it's for all the people. So hopefully it won't happen," he said.

He added that preserving football's authenticity is essential to maintaining the passion and excitement that make competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Premier League so popular around the world.

For the proposal to become a reality, it must receive approval from the 38-member FIFA Council as well as a majority of FIFA's 211 member associations.

Alonso's remarks came shortly after Chelsea's 6-4 pre-season victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, his first match in charge of the club. The Blues are scheduled to face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in another pre-season fixture in Sydney on Saturday.