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All 55 member associations of UEFA, European football's governing body, have formally agreed to boycott future FIFA international tournaments if the organization proceeds with plans to sell its commercial rights.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who previously served as UEFA's general secretary before assuming leadership of world football's governing body in 2016, triggered widespread outrage across Europe when his proposal to establish and sell stakes in a company controlling men's and women's World Cups and Club World Cups was revealed on Tuesday.
Boycott threats had been circulating in the days that followed, but the decision has now been formally confirmed. Following an emergency meeting on Thursday among the 55 nations — including reigning men's and women's world champions Spain — UEFA issued a sharp and forceful statement:
"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. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA's duty as the custodian of world football."
FIFA's 'Act of Coercion'
FIFA faced accusations of "governance by intimidation" and "an act of coercion" after Infantino dispatched a letter to all member associations offering a lump-sum payment of $40 million to those who agreed to the plan ahead of the fast-approaching September 19 deadline.
These substantial funds are expected to come from private investors. Thrive Eternal, a venture capital firm led by Joshua Kushner — younger brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump — has already been confirmed as the primary source behind FIFA's plan to raise $4.2 billion by the end of October.
"The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever," UEFA's statement continued. "Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.
"This model has no place in world football. Football's future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximize financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain."
The Defiant Terms of UEFA's Boycott
"Europe's position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
"As a result of today's discussion, 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.
"Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.
"There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.
What Would UEFA Boycott Mean for the World Cup, Infantino's Plan?
Spain are the first nation in history to hold both the men's and women's World Cup at the same time. pic.twitter.com/IHuv4ADsDf
Not since 1966, when African nations united to protest FIFA's refusal to guarantee the continent even a single World Cup qualification spot, has there been such a sweeping collective boycott of football's premier competition.
The women's World Cup is less than a year away and is expected to feature at least 11 European nations — more than any other confederation. The next men's World Cup in 2030 will be co-hosted by two European nations, Spain and Portugal. Holding the tournament without representation from one of the world's most accomplished footballing continents is virtually unthinkable.
The Times goes as far as predicting that a UEFA boycott would effectively "kill" Infantino's initiative. While investor appetite was reportedly strong before this threat materialized, UEFA's withdrawal would fundamentally alter the entire nature of the project.
On a purely procedural level, pushing the plan through without European backing would be considerably more difficult. Infantino requires the support of more than half of FIFA's 211 member associations for the project to succeed. UEFA holds 55 votes and could be joined in opposition by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa sent a letter to his 47 members that appeared to cast serious doubt on the organization's willingness to back the proposal.
"The AFC is deeply concerned that FIFA's unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of continental football, which are based on solidarity, cooperation and transparency," Al Khalifa wrote, as quoted by Sky News. "Moreover, such an initiative will not succeed without the support of all the confederations, which is not the case now."
Concacaf, representing 41 member associations, has also voiced "deep concern" regarding the manner in which the plan was put forward, citing a "lack of due process."