UEFA’s 55 member associations have threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, if the world governing body’s controversial plans to sell stakes in its major tournaments to private investors are approved.
The unanimous decision was taken at an emergency UEFA meeting on Thursday, marking the strongest opposition yet to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposed commercial overhaul of the global game.
The backlash comes after FIFA announced on Tuesday that it intends to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new commercial entity valued at approximately $20 billion [R335.8 billion]. The company would manage the commercial rights of FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup, with up to a 20% stake earmarked for sale to private investors.
In a letter sent to all 211 FIFA member associations, Infantino revealed that federations backing the proposal would receive $40 million [R674 million]. Member associations have until 19 September to accept the plans if they wish to qualify for an initial $20 million [R336 million] payment.
UEFA had already issued two strongly worded statements earlier this week opposing the proposal. Following Thursday’s meeting, it became clear that any boycott would extend across all FIFA competitions should the plans go ahead.
WHAT DID UEFA SAY ABOUT THE BOYCOTT?
The proposed boycott could have immediate ramifications for European football, including this year’s Women’s World Cup qualifying play-offs. In a statement released after the emergency meeting, UEFA said its 55 member associations “stand as one” in rejecting FIFA’s proposal.
“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.”
UEFA also accused FIFA of attempting to use football “to enrich themselves and their friends”, significantly escalating tensions between the two governing bodies.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football [CAF] has stopped short of taking a position, instead asking its member associations to study the proposal. CAF president Patrice Motsepe is expected to host a meeting of the organisation’s executive committee next week to “assess and evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative”.
The outcome of that meeting could prove significant, with African nations making up more than a quarter of FIFA’s member associations and potentially playing a key role in determining whether Infantino’s ambitious and divisive plan moves forward.
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