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 off stakes in its major competitions. Football’s world governing body has said it wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, with external investors able to buy stakes in it. The letter states that if member associations respond positively by the deadline, $20m will be “available immediately” from 1 January 2027. “It is my duty and responsibility as Fifa president to present such game-changing opportunities to you, our members,” said Infantino. European football’s governing body UEFA took the remarkable step of issuing a response to FIFA’s plans before they had even been published on Tuesday, reacting to initial newspaper reports.