European football associations are discussing the possibility of boycotting future FIFA World Cups if FIFA President Gianni Infantino proceeds with plans to sell a stake in the governing body’s commercial operations to private investors, according to media reports.
An emergency virtual meeting of UEFA member associations is expected to take place this week to discuss opposition to FIFA’s proposal to establish a new commercial subsidiary with external investment.
FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that it plans to create a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, valued at around $20 billion, and sell more than 20% of the business by raising approximately $4.2 billion from investors.
Reports said several national football associations, including England’s Football Association, were unaware of the proposal before FIFA’s announcement, and that the strategy had not been discussed during meetings with member associations in New York before the World Cup final.
The plans have prompted strong criticism from UEFA, which accused FIFA of overstepping its authority.
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” UEFA said in a statement. “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
According to the reports, some European nations are prepared to consider a World Cup boycott if FIFA presses ahead with the proposal without addressing their concerns over governance and transparency.
FIFA has not publicly responded to the reported boycott discussions beyond outlining its investment plans.3