USA and Canada join the mounting backlash as they reject FIFA’s controversial plans
The USA and Canada have joined the mounting backlash against FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments.
Earlier today, UEFA announced that all of its 55 national football association members, including England, would boycott the 2030 World Cup, and any other competitions, if the controversial plans go ahead.
Now, The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has joined the growing backlash and said its 41 member associations have rejected the proposal.
Yesterday, CONCACAF said it was ‘deeply concerned by the lack of due process’ and arranged an emergency meeting to talk through the proposals.
Advert
In an update following the conclusion of the meeting, CONCACAF said it had rejected the plans.
The statement began: "CONCACAF is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first.
"Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an organisation founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.
“History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.”
It went on to highlight ‘deep concerns’ among the member football associations in regard to the plans.
“During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies,” it went on.
“In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programs following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history was questioned.
“The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance.”
CONCACAF said ‘for these reasons’ it had decided to reject the proposal.
“Through these actions, CONACAF reaffirms that football's future—and its greatest asset—must remain in the hands of our football family.”
CONCACAF’s rejection of the plans comes just hours after UEFA boldly declared: "The World Cup is not for sale."
UEFA's fiery statement
In a defiant and lengthy statement, UEFA said: "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions. UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
"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."
It went on to slam the pressure put on countries to participate in FIFA's plans as 'governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game'.
"The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever," the 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 maximise 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. Europe’s position is clear."
Claire Reid