Zurich: UEFA is preparing to impose sanctions on FIFA in response to its sale of shares to private entities. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and its member nations have voted to boycott FIFA if it insists on selling shares to investors. FIFA, in turn, explained that it is a plan that benefits the global football community.
According to Thai News Agency, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), along with its 55 member national football associations, jointly decided in an emergency online meeting to boycott all competitions organized by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) in protest against FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.
A UEFA statement indicated that member football associations would not send teams to any FIFA competitions if the plan went ahead, arguing that allowing private equity to hold shares in key assets of world football could impact governance, transparency, and the long-term interests of the game.
This meeting was held in response to Infantino's proposal to provide each of FIFA's 211 member football associations with $20 million USD (approximately 650 million THB) in exchange for support of his business restructuring plan, with each nation given a response by mid-September.
Previously, it was revealed that FIFA planned to spin off the commercial rights business of the World Cup into a new company worth approximately US$20 billion (around 650 billion baht) and sell 20 percent of the shares to private investors, including a New York-based investment fund. If the boycott were to occur, the first tournament to be affected could be the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, scheduled to be held in Poland from September 5th under FIFA's management.
Following this, FIFA President Gianni Infantino clarified for the first time that the plan to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) was merely a proposal, not a requirement, and would only materialize with the approval of FIFA member associations and the FIFA Council. Infantino affirmed that FIFA remains the sole owner and controller of the FFE, including broadcasting rights, sponsorships, licensing, and new businesses, with the goal of increasing revenue from commercial benefits to develop football worldwide. He also stated that funding for member associations would increase from US$8 million to at least US$20 million, and potentially to US$40 million if they joined additional programs.
The FIFA president also reiterated that football fans need not worry, as the World Cup and the Women's World Cup will remain under FIFA's administration, without interference from outside investors. He believes these projects will help elevate the development of football in all regions of the world.