FA speaks out as UEFA countries warn of World Cup boycott over FIFA sell-off
The Football Association (FA) has spoken out after UEFA announced its plans to boycott all FIFA competitions because of the proposed World Cup sale.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and FIFA have suggested allowing outside investors to buy small, non-controlling shares in a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This company would manage the commercial rights for all future World Cups. Infantino set a deadline of September 19 for all 211 FIFA member associations to support this plan, promising £30 million to those who agree. An initial £15 million would be paid to members who respond by the deadline.
There are reports that Infantino could personally benefit from this deal, which has raised serious worries among many football groups worldwide. UEFA reacted strongly, saying FIFA has gone too far and that football “is not FIFA’s to sell.”
FIFA hopes to raise up to £3.1 billion by selling these small shares in FFE, which they value at about £15 billion. For the plan to move forward, all 211 FIFA members must vote on it.
On July 30th, UEFA released another statement sharing plans to boycott FIFA competitions—including the men’s and women’s World Cups—if the plan goes ahead. All 55 UEFA members support this decision after an emergency meeting led by UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin.
UEFA’s statement was clear: “Europe’s position is clear. We will never support this. No one has the right to sell what belongs to future generations. Therefore, UEFA teams will not take part in any FIFA competition while this plan is still on the table, unless it is completely dropped and FIFA promises never to involve private ownership in its governance or events again. Don’t doubt it: UEFA and its members will fight these plans with everything they’ve got.”
Later that day, the FA shared its own thoughts on the issue. An FA spokesperson said, “We stand side by side with our European friends and fully support their view. We do not agree with FIFA’s plans – the World Cup belongs to football and always will.”
This came after the FA’s earlier statement expressing serious concerns about the way this proposal has been handled.