UEFA threatens to boycott all FIFA tournaments after World Cup stake plan got revealed
UEFA issued a stern threat to FIFA, saying the move was "over the line" after reports surfaced that FIFA was seeking private investment in the World Cup and other events hosted by the world body
XtraTime Newsdesk: European football's governing body UEFA's member associations voted unanimously on Thursday to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions in protest against FIFA's plan to sell stakes to outside investors in a subsidiary that will run the global governing body's tournaments. The decision was made at a virtual emergency meeting called on Thursday.Details
"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. 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,” UEFA said in a statement.
"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,” it added.
A few days ago, UEFA issued a stern threat to FIFA, saying the move was "over the line" after reports surfaced that FIFA was seeking private investment in the World Cup and other events hosted by the world body.
FIFA on Tuesday announced plans to create a semi-private subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), to sell minority and non-controlling interests in the commercial operations of the World Cup and other tournaments. FIFA aims to raise $4.2 billion from long-term investors later this year while maintaining a majority stake.Details
"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. But our opposition goes far beyond process,” the statement on Thursday read further.