Paddy Power erected a mock "FOR SALE" sign outside FIFA's headquarters in Zurich on Friday as opposition to Gianni Infantino's plan to sell off a stake in the World Cup continued to grow.
The stunt targeted a leaked proposal in which FIFA aims to raise £3.1 billion in private investment by selling a portion of the tournament, along with the Club World Cup, through a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The green sign carried the message: "To anyone, anyone, with money, power and a willingness to endure Gianni's small talk."
A Paddy Power spokesperson said: "Just when you think you've seen it all from Gianni Infantino, he goes and puts the World Cup on the market. We thought that might be one thing that isn't up for grabs, but Gianni seems to think otherwise, so we've lent him a sign to tell suitors football is officially for sale."
The proposal has drawn opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC. Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino's most senior advisors, resigned in protest and called on other FIFA colleagues to speak out, describing the plan as a bad deal for football. Infantino had promised member associations a £30 million incentive to push the deal through.
With 135 FIFA members now publicly opposed to the plan, surpassing the 106-member threshold needed to block it, the proposal appears dead. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also called for Infantino to resign on Friday afternoon.
