UEFA and its 55 association members have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions in relation to plans to sell stakes to private investors.
Their decision came after an emergency summit this afternoon (30 July) to discuss FIFA President, Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell stakes in the World Cups and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
In a public statement, UEFA iterated that the organisation and its 55 member associations across Europe are united against Infantino’s antics and iterated that the World Cup is one of the sport’s “greatest sporting legacies.”
“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.”
UEFA proceeded to publicly slam FIFA and Infantino for their “secret” plotting without any effort to consult with confederations across the world, which has led to CONCAF and AFC publicly criticising the plans too amidst an ultimatum of accepting the sale or risk consequences.
“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.”
UEFA further laid into FIFA as they warned that the opposition isn’t just about “process” and consultation but about the commercial elements and pressure to appease investors.
“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.”
UEFA concluded by iterating that no UEFA national team will be involved in any FIFA competition until Infantino drops his plans with promise of “binding assurances” that FIFA will never attempt to privatise ownership again.
“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.”
This move opens the door to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World potentially being without the top three teams of the 2023 edition; Spain, England and Sweden, whilst giants like France, Germany and Norway would too boycott the tournament if not resolved.
“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.”
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