Now there is a real fire at the top of world football. UEFA has sent a merciless message directly to Gianni Infantino – and flatly rejects his apology about the controversial World Cup plans.
The conflict between UEFA and the FIFA president has escalated in recent weeks after Infantino shocked the football world with a bold proposal to sell off shares in the World Cup. The plan, which was led by Infantino personally, would allow “third parties to make smaller, non-controlling investments” in a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
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The company, which is reportedly worth around €15 billion, would have significant influence over FIFA’s commercial operations and events – including the World Cup itself.
55 nations threatened with boycott – and UEFA stands firm
Already when the plans were announced, UEFA took a hard line. All 55 member associations announced that they would boycott all FIFA tournaments if the proposal was implemented. The demand was loud and clear: The plans had to be scrapped completely, and FIFA had to give binding assurances that something like this would never happen again.
A few days later, FIFA confirmed that the FFE plans had been shelved, and Infantino issued a public apology for the way the matter was handled.
But the apology bounces off UEFA.
“Trust is gone” – the boycott continues
In a devastating response, UEFA makes it crystal clear that they do not accept Infantino’s explanation. The boycott threat still stands.
“Our federations were very clear about the conditions that apply to avoid boycotts: First, the proposal to sell out the championships had to be withdrawn. Secondly, guarantees had to be given that such attempts to destroy football would never be repeated. None of these conditions have been met,” the statement said.
UEFA also emphasizes that they have lost all confidence in Infantino’s presidency – and they stand by that position.
“Yesterday’s announcement that a few employees of the FIFA president agree with him does not change anything,” UEFA concludes devastatingly.
Thus, the tug-of-war between Europe’s most powerful football body and FIFA’s chief executive continues – with World Cup boycotts hanging over the heads of world football.
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