

It has been there for a while. You’ve got an organization that makes deals worth billions and filled with people from countries where corruption is more tolerated. Some of it can be outright bribes, others can be gifts to the home country in their name.

UEFA can and should fight the privitizaton of the World Cup, but trying to force leagues outside of its purview to follow its rules is just asking for trouble.
As you said, there was already one attempt to create a Champions League rival. An American style league structure is going to be tempting and an independent MLS & Liga MX is going to cause issues for talent retention. I could see the Saudi and Qatari leagues pulling away as well, further fueling a bidding war for talent.