Europe to Boycott World Cup and FIFA Competitions Over Infantino's Plan
Welat TV – Erbil
Member associations of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have agreed to boycott all FIFA competitions in protest against a plan by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup to private-sector investors.
UEFA said on Thursday, July 30, following an emergency online meeting attended by all 55 member associations: "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions."
The strategic meeting was held to address Infantino's proposal to provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations worldwide with $20 million, with the offer to be accepted by mid-September.
A confidential proposal by Infantino to spin off FIFA's commercial operations into a $20 billion venture, in which private investors would hold a 20% stake, was unveiled on Tuesday. The main investor would reportedly be a New York-based investment company founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law.
Infantino wrote to FIFA's 211 member associations on Wednesday, noting that they are already the effective owners of FIFA, which operates as a non-profit association under Swiss law.
He said that if they approve the financial funding agreement, the promised basic funding of $10 million for the next four years would be doubled to $20 million.
He projected that funding for each FIFA member association could reach $86 million by 2038, compared with approximately $36 million under the current arrangement. A statement issued by UEFA and its 55 national associations said: "UEFA and its 55 member associations stand united. We unanimously and categorically reject FIFA's proposal to transfer ownership of the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors."
The statement added: "The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football's greatest legacies, built over generations through the efforts of players, national teams, and fans around the world. No part of it should be handed over to private investors.
The World Cup is not for sale."
British ministers also backed UEFA's decision to boycott FIFA competitions until the world football governing body abandons its plans to establish a company involving private investors to manage the World Cup and other events.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) rejected Infantino's plan, joining the growing number of voices opposing the controversial project.