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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly set a deadline for Member Associations to support his plan to create a private company that would run competitions including the World Cup.

FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) is expected to be worth $20 billion, with $4 billion open to outside investors. Joshua Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, is believed to be the lead investor.

Infantino’s association with Trump was already a blot on this summer’s World Cup, and his audacious attempt to turn every last piece of football’s showpiece into profit makes the matter even more troubling.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, rarely misses a chance to clash with FIFA. In a statement released on Tuesday, it said Infantino’s plan ‘crosses a line’ and that the World Cup is not Infantino’s to sell.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially,” said UEFA, whose member nations are understood to be weighing a World Cup boycott in response.

A World Cup without UEFA involvement would be meaningless, but Infantino’s financial influence at federation level is a real threat to the global integrity of football.

The FIFA chief’s continued presidency has the support of more than 200 Member Associations, with entire blocs driven by increased revenue and the growth of the men’s World Cup.

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In a letter to football associations reported by Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris, Infantino has set September 19 as the deadline for Member Associations to back the scheme, with $40 million being quietly offered to those who do.

“Mr Infantino warned they would have much less cash for development, grassroots football and national teams if they didn't support his plan,” reports Sky News.

“He said the launch of FFE needed the backing of its ruling council and more than 50% of its members.

“In his letter, the [Swiss] called it a