The future of the World Cup has been plunged into chaos after Uefa announced it will boycott the tournament if Fifa goes ahead with its sell-off plan.
The decision has been taken after a crisis meeting involving Uefa’s 55 member nations.
Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin chaired the meeting, having been openly critical of Fifa chief Gianni Infantino’s plans.
The move will see England and other European nations miss the upcoming 2030 tournament, according to The Times, which is due to be partly hosted in Spain and Portugal.
UEFA announced it will boycott the World Cup if FIFA’s sell-off plan goes ahead
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A statement released on behalf of Uefa and its 55 National Associations read: “Uefa and its national associations will not participate in Fifa competitions 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 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.”
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin (LEFT) chaired the meeting, having been openly critical of FIFA’s plans
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The statement continued: “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 Fifa President has faced mounting criticism since details emerged of a proposal that could see up to 20 per cent of a new commercial subsidiary sold to external investors, with the venture reportedly valued at around £20billion.
Infantino’s plans were dealt a further blow when the president of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman, wrote to his 47 members about his “disappointment” with not being consulted by Fifa.
Infantino’s decision allows private investors to buy stakes in the World Cup
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He wrote: “Furthermore, the AFC is deeply concerned that FIFA’s unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of continental football, which are based on solidarity, co-operation and transparency.
“Moreover, such an initiative will not succeed without the support of all the confederations, which is not the case now.”
The leaders of the Concacaf federation, which represents 41 countries in North and Central America and the Caribbean, have also been against the plan.
The Confederation of African Football has called on its 54 members to review Fifa’s plans.
UEFA released a damning statement regarding Infantino’s plans
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Infantino’s decision allows private investors to buy stakes in the World Cup, which must be taken by September 19.
The Fifa President also thinks the project could raise as much as £7.5billion while creating new revenue streams capable of accelerating the development of emerging football nations.
In a letter sent to Fifa’s member associations, Infantino argued the initiative would help create more success stories similar to Cape Verde, who qualified for their first World Cup following the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams.
Associations have been told they must respond by September 19, with positive backing potentially unlocking £15million in funding from January.
Infantino faced questions from journalists about the proposals as he tried to reassure his critics
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Sources suggested that Infantino will be lined up to run the company, known as Fifa Forward Enterprise.
Infantino faced questions from journalists about the proposals as he tried to reassure his critics.
He said: “It’s part of a democratic process, a consultation process and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation, and, as I said, it kicks off the consultation process. Fifa obviously continues to govern football without any external interference.
“And the flagship tournament it organises, like the Fifa World Cup or the Fifa Women’s World Cup, will always remain.”
