UEFA threatens World Cup boycott over FIFA investment plan
UEFA has threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions if FIFA proceeds with a plan to sell a 20% stake in its commercial operations to private investors. The proposal has faced significant backlash for potentially compromising the governance and independence of international soccer.
Why it matters
The potential privatization of FIFA's commercial arm represents a major shift in sports governance and has sparked a high-stakes conflict between global soccer bodies.
European soccer governing body UEFA said Thursday it will boycott FIFA competitions including the World Cup if the global organization goes through with its proposal to sell a stake to private investors.
Following an emergency meeting, UEFA, which represents 55 of FIFA's 211 member associations, called it "irresponsible and indefensible" for FIFA leadership to bring forth such a proposal without seeking feedback from the countries that make up the organization.
On Tuesday, FIFA announced a plan to sell a 20% stake in a new entity it calls FIFA Forward Enterprise that would take over all commercial and event operations. FIFA said FFE would raise up to $4.2 billion from third party investors. The move championed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino has drawn backlash across the sport.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in