FIFA World Cup boycott ‘unanimously backed’ by England and UEFA nations over Infantino’s plans
England and other UEFA nationals have thrown the World Cup into chaos after reported plans that they will boycott all FIFA competitions should Gianni Infantino continue his plans to sell stakes
Gianni Infantino is facing a boycott from UEFA, according to reports(Image: FIFA)
UEFA nations have reportedly voted to boycott FIFA’s competitions, included the World Cup, over Gianni Infantino plans to sell stakes in the major tournament.
An emergency meeting was called after FIFA President Infantino sparked controversy after it emerged he planned to sell stakes in the World Cup. FIFA has been urged to withdraw controversial plans to sell stakes in a new World Cup company by a group chaired by Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
FIFA is seeking approval from national associations to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), promising them huge increases in development funding if the plan gets the green light.
A group of private investors, who would collectively own around 20% of FFE, is set to be led by Thrive Eternal, a company founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of United States President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under pressure over the proposed stake sale(Image: Getty Images)
FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino say FFE would help “turbocharge” the development of the game around the world, and say associations wishing to participate could have access to an additional 20 million US dollars (£15m) in funding, meaning they could receive up to 40m US dollars (£30m) in the three-year cycle up to the 2030 World Cup if the plan is approved.
Associations have been asked to tell FIFA by September 19 if they wish to participate, with the additional 20m US dollars via the FIFA Fast Forward Programme (FFFP) to be financed by the sale of a 20% stake in FFE to private investors.
However, England and other UEFA nations have reportedly rejected plans, as first reported by The Times. Now UEFA has said no European nation will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as proposals to create a company to run the World Cup remain alive.
The boycott could throw the Women’s World Cup play-offs into chaos with games to be played in October.
UEFA’s 55-member associations gathered virtually for a crisis meeting on Thursday (July 30) afternoon after FIFA’s controversial plans emerged on Tuesday (July 28).
In a confirmation statement, UEFA said: “UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions. UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
As well as England, World Cup winners Spain are also included in the boycott(Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
“It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.
“National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a “democratic decision”, but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game. But our opposition goes far beyond process.
“The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.
“This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain. Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
“As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership. Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.
“There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments. Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”
