FIFA approach 'totally unacceptable'
UEFA and its member associations have threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions if FIFA proceeds with plans to sell a minority stake in a new commercial entity managing the World Cup. The governing body argues that the World Cup should not be treated as a private investment product.
Why it matters
This represents a major governance conflict in global sports that could lead to the fragmentation of international football competitions.
UEFA has said no European nation will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as proposals to create a company to run the World Cup remain alive.
FIFA is planning to sell a significant minority stake in a new commercial entity with a valuation of about €17.5 billion ($20 billion).
The plan would see FIFA establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a wholly-owned subsidiary consolidating the organisation's commercial and event operations.
The UEFA decision was made at an emergency meeting on Thursday, with the FAI among those supporting the stance.
A UEFA statement read: "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.
"UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one.
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