Europe agrees to boycott World Cup over controversial sell-off plan
European football’s 55 member associations have voted to boycott World Cups if the sport’s governing body proceeds with a plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors.
UEFA nations were due to hold an emergency meeting virtually this week to discuss their opposition to FIFA’s attempt to launch a new commercial company with external investment, a source said.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product,” it said on Thursday.
“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.”
FIFA confirmed on Tuesday Infantino wants to launch a subsidiary worth $20bn (£15bn) and sell off more than 20% of the new FIFA Forward Enterprise by raising $4.2bn (£3.16bn).
The plans and way they have emerged provoked renewed fury within UEFA at how Infantino is running FIFA.
It’s understood the Football Association was completely unaware of the plans before the rushed announcement by FIFA.
