FIFA, Eldridge Industries and proposed Under-15 tournament investors
Thursday
FIFA held undisclosed talks over commercialising a proposed global Under-15 tournament involving all 211 member nations, including discussions with outside investors and broadcasters. A formal proposal backed by Eldridge Industries explored staging the event at Disney’s sports complex in Florida.
The investment concept was shelved before the World Cup, and FIFA later selected Azerbaijan to host the competition without outside investment. The revelation adds another governance issue after the organisation abandoned a separate plan to sell part of its commercial operations.