UEFA Threatens FIFA Tournament Boycott Over World Cup Plan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) said all 55 of its national associations are ready to boycott FIFA tournaments over plans by the organisation to transfer a share of World Cup rights to private investors.

In an official statement, UEFA said European football associations unanimously oppose FIFA's proposal to transfer ownership rights to the World Cup and other competitions to private investors.

UEFA stressed that the World Cup is one of the most important sporting legacies of global football, built over generations through the efforts of players, national teams and supporters. The organisation said the tournament should not be treated as an investment product.

UEFA also criticised FIFA for preparing an initiative of major importance for the future of football without fully consulting organisations involved in governing the sport.

The statement said that the involvement of external investors in the management system of FIFA competitions could result in decisions on the international calendar, tournament formats and football development being influenced by shareholders' financial interests.

UEFA said that no national team from its member associations would participate in FIFA competitions until the relevant proposals are fully withdrawn and guarantees are provided that control over football competitions will not be transferred to private entities.

Earlier, it was reported that FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed creating FIFA Forward Enterprise, a company intended to attract additional funding for football development and increase revenues for FIFA member associations.

According to media reports, the project would involve transferring part of the commercial rights to FIFA's major competitions, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup, to private investors. The initiative has drawn criticism from several football organisations and members of the sports community.