FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to all 211 member associations, saying they will receive $40m (£30m) if they back his controversial plan to sell stakes in its major competitions.

Infantino has set a deadline of 19 September for football federations to accept his plans if they want to access an initial $20m (£15m).

Football’s world governing body has said it wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, and external investors will be able to buy stakes in it.

The incentive to nations came less than 24 hours after the bombshell statement rocked football’s foundations, quickly leading to condemnation from Europe, Asia, and North America.

It is understood Infantino even left some of FIFA’s eight vice-presidents in the dark about his plan, which it is claimed could raise $10bn (£7.52bn).

The letter states that if member associations respond positively by the deadline, $20m will be “available immediately” from 1 January 2027.

Credit: BBC