UEFA Unanimously Decides to Boycott FIFA Tournaments if Infantino's Plans Are Implemented
UEFA and all 55 national football associations of Europe unanimously supported the decision on a possible boycott of FIFA tournaments if the organization does not abandon its plan to transfer part of the commercial rights to the World Cups to private investors. This decision was made at an emergency UEFA meeting, according to The Guardian.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin / AP
According to a UEFA statement, European associations categorically disagree with FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to create a new commercial structure and sell a minority stake in it to external investors. UEFA states that the World Cup "cannot be considered an investment product" and that "global football is not for sale".
If FIFA nevertheless approves the project and does not abandon it, European national teams will not participate in competitions under the auspices of FIFA. The boycott will affect:
- Men's World Cup;
- Women's World Cup;
- Club World Cup;
- other tournaments organized by FIFA.
In turn, FIFA states that it is not about selling the World Cup itself, but about creating a new commercial company, FIFA Forward Enterprise, in which the organization will retain full control over football governance, rules, and the conduct of tournaments. The funds raised are planned to be directed to the development of football in all 211 national associations.
The confrontation between UEFA and FIFA is already being called one of the most serious crises in the history of international football. If the parties do not reach a compromise, the absence of European national teams could fundamentally change, and not for the better, future World Cups.