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FIFA boycott

UEFA maintains FIFA boycott despite Infantino’s withdrawal of plan

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UEFA maintains

GENEVA: European football’s governing body UEFA said its member associations will continue their boycott of FIFA competitions despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino reversing his decision to pursue the sale of minority stakes in the organization’s commercial assets.

In a statement, UEFA said its 55 member associations remain committed to withdrawing from FIFA events, stressing that the world football governing body has not accepted the conditions set by European football authorities.

UEFA had unanimously voted to consider withdrawing from FIFA competitions after Infantino announced plans to seek private investment in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other major events.

Facing growing pressure, Infantino later abandoned the proposal and received support from FIFA leadership during a meeting in Morocco. However, UEFA said the withdrawal of the plan was only one of several conditions required to restore cooperation.

The European body said additional demands linked to participation in FIFA competitions remain unresolved, adding that its position on the boycott has not changed.

UEFA threatens FIFA boycott over proposed World Cup investment plan

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UEFA threatens

NYON, Switzerland: UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, if the governing body moves forward with a proposal to sell a stake in its commercial operations to private investors.

According to UEFA, its member associations unanimously agreed during an online meeting that European national teams would not participate in FIFA tournaments unless the proposal is withdrawn and FIFA guarantees it will not introduce private ownership into its competitions or governance structure.

In a statement, UEFA said the World Cup is “a historic football legacy” built by generations of players, national teams and supporters, arguing that it should not be treated as an investment asset or partially transferred to private investors.

The dispute follows a proposal backed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to separate FIFA’s commercial business under a plan reportedly valued at $20 billion, with 20% of the commercial entity potentially being sold to private investors. The proposal also reportedly includes a $20 million payment to each FIFA member association, with a decision expected by mid-September.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also expressed reservations about the proposal. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa criticized FIFA for advancing the plan without sufficient consultation, saying it could weaken the existing structure of global football. Infantino has maintained that private investment is only an option rather than a mandatory policy, but the proposal has sparked strong opposition from football organizations worldwide.