England and UEFA countries decide to boycott World Cup 2030 if controversial plan goes ahead
UEFA members are putting on a united front in the face of Gianni Infantino's plans to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments.
All 55 national football associations, including England, are in agreement - if the controversial proposals are green lit, the 2030 World Cup and any other competitions will be boycotted.
UEFA released a statement on Wednesday (30 July) announcing that it's members will 'stand as one' and 'unanimously and unequivocally' object to Infantino's ideas to profit off the world's most popular sport.
In a statement outlining its outrage, the governing body of European football boldly declared: "The World Cup is not for sale."
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Earlier this week, it was reported that FIFA boss Infantino is drumming up plans to set up a private company to run competitions which investors could buy into.
The governing body intends to set up FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which they will then 'invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments' in. FIFA would have a majority stake.
Meanwhile, private investors would control between 20 and 30 percent. Each of the 211 member nations of FIFA would also have their own part which would add up to about 20 percent, which they could keep or sell.
If it gets the thumbs up, FIFA says one of the bigger investors already on board is a group called Thrive Eternal. It was founded by Joshua Kushner,who is the brother of Jared, Donald Trump's son-in-law.
Private investors in FIFA competitions would see the World Cup as the holy grail, and could try and milk the cash cow as much as possible by expanding it to have more countries competing or trying to have it played more often instead of every four years.
However, England and a host of UEFA's other 55 member nations are standing together and intend to make their opposition to this clear.
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.
'Some things are simply too important to sell'
"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."
In wake of the talks that took place today, UEFA declared: "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. Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale."
It is suspected that the threat of a boycott might tank the potential profits from FIFA's proposed scheme, as the lack of European nations would likely deter people from investing.
Infantino's proposals would need to be voted on and approved by FIFA's 211 member states - but they were told they only had 53 days to make their decision, while countries were promised $40m (£30m) if they pledged their support.
"This says everything you need to know about this plan," UEFA said on Wednesday (29 July).
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has already shown his dismay with FIFA previously, having boycotted the World Cup final earlier this month in protest at various controversial moves – such as the suspended red card.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also criticised the plan, saying the World Cup is ‘not a product’ and belongs to fans and not investors.
Olivia Burke