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UEFA welcomes withdrawal of FIFA's private investor plan, criticizes Infantino

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • UEFA welcomed the withdrawal of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell part of the World Cup to private investors.
  • The European football association rejected the proposal and threatened to boycott future FIFA events.
  • UEFA criticized Infantino for a lack of transparency and for not keeping promises made since 2016.

UEFA has welcomed the withdrawal of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell a portion of the World Cup to private investors, hailing it as a "victory for all of football." The European football association had strongly opposed the proposal, which reportedly involved investors close to Donald Trump, and had threatened a boycott of upcoming FIFA competitions, including the 2030 World Cup.

UEFA thanks all the supporters, leagues, clubs, players, individuals, associations and confederations who opposed this project, as well as the many Prime Ministers, Heads of State and commentators who have shown the FIFA president that football is not for sale.

— UEFAIn a statement, UEFA expressed gratitude to all who opposed the plan.

UEFA stated that "secret plots, conducted at breakneck speed, concocted by anonymous individuals and whose benefits for the game are more than questionable" could no longer be tolerated. The organization demanded that those responsible be identified and held accountable. The statement specifically targeted FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing him of failing to keep promises made since his arrival in 2016 and of lacking transparency regarding funds intended for the sport's development.

We can no longer tolerate such secret plots, conducted at breakneck speed, concocted by anonymous individuals and whose benefits for the game are more than questionable. It is imperative to identify those responsible and hold them accountable.

— UEFAUEFA criticized the clandestine nature of the deal and demanded accountability.

"The dubious deal (with private investors), concluded in secret and which he tried to impose, was anything but transparent," UEFA wrote in its communiqué. The Concacaf confederation also reportedly opposed Infantino's plan. The association thanked all supporters, leagues, clubs, players, individuals, associations, and confederations who opposed the project, as well as the many prime ministers, heads of state, and commentators who demonstrated that "football is not for sale."

The dubious deal (with private investors), concluded in secret and which he tried to impose, was anything but transparent.

— UEFAUEFA accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of a lack of transparency regarding the proposed deal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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