Uefa’s 55 member associations have voted to boycott the World Cup if Fifa proceeds with its plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors.
The decision was made at an emergency meeting today to discuss the proposals announced by Fifa.
Fifa wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, and external investors will be able to buy stakes in it.
Infantino is said to have written to all 211 Fifa member associations saying they would receive $40m if they backed the plan.
He also reporetdly set a deadline of September 19th for football federations to accept his plans if they wanted to access an initial $20m.
In a statement released after the meeting Uefa said, “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, which governs European football, says the potential boycott would cover all Fifa competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cup.
The boycott would cover all Fifa competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cup, and be triggered if Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s proposals are voted through by member associations.
BBC Sport says this stance could be tested this October, when the Women’s World Cup play-offs are due to be held.
