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UEFA agrees to boycott FIFA; protests Infantino's private equity plan for World Cup
🇲🇽 Mexico /Sports

UEFA agrees to boycott FIFA; protests Infantino's private equity plan for World Cup

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • UEFA and its 55 member nations agreed to boycott all FIFA competitions in protest of President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in World Cup revenue to private investors.
  • UEFA stated that the World Cup belongs to football and is not for sale, criticizing Infantino's proposal as a failure of leadership.
  • Infantino's plan involves a $20 billion deal where private investors would hold 20% of commercial operations, which he claims will accelerate global football development.

UEFA and its 55 national associations have declared a boycott of all FIFA competitions, signaling a strong protest against FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell a stake in World Cup revenue to private equity investors. The decision was made during an urgent online meeting of European football's governing body.

The UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions.

— UEFAAnnouncing the decision to boycott FIFA competitions in protest of the private equity plan.

In a firm statement, UEFA declared, "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions." The organization emphasized its stance, stating, "The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It will always be that way. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale." This move underscores a deep rift between UEFA and FIFA's leadership over the commercialization of the sport's most prestigious tournament.

The emergency meeting was convened to counter Infantino's proposal, which offers each of FIFA's 211 global members $20 million. This offer must be accepted by mid-September. The secret proposal, revealed earlier in the week, involves splitting FIFA's commercial operations into a $20 billion deal, with private investors acquiring a 20% stake. A New York investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner is reportedly the lead investor.

The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It will always be that way. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.

— UEFAStating UEFA's firm position against the commercialization of the World Cup.

UEFA condemned the plan, calling it "not just a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA's duty as the custodian of world football." The organization, where Infantino previously served as secretary general, argued that allowing external investors ownership stakes in FIFA competitions would permanently alter football, introducing ongoing commercial obligations and daily pressure from investor expectations.

This is not just a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA's duty as the custodian of world football.

— UEFACriticizing Gianni Infantino's plan and its implications for the governance of global football.

Infantino has defended the private equity offer as a means to "accelerate football development funding" worldwide, particularly for the many FIFA members who rely on such funds. However, reports indicate that leaders from around 40 UEFA members voiced anger during the meeting, questioning why FIFA isn't using its substantial reserves to fund additional development programs. The next FIFA competition scheduled to be held in Europe is the U-20 Women's World Cup, hosted by Poland starting September 5.

In the moment external investors acquire ownership stakes in FIFA competitions, football changes forever.

— UEFAExpressing concern about the long-term impact of private investment on the integrity of football.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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