UEFA countries to boycott FIFA tournaments in case of Infantino plan | OneFootball

The 55 UEFA countries will boycott upcoming FIFA tournaments if new proposals are to come to pass.

The FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed selling a stake of the World Cup to private investment in a move that is likely to see some exceedingly people become even more wealthy while some extra pocket change trickles down towards various football associations. However, such fans have been met with strong resistance from fans and even governing bodies.

A crisis meeting has led to UEFA countries boycotting future men's and women's FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, should such plans be pushed through.

"UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one," a strongly-worded statement said today. "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."

The statement went on to say how much outside investment would change football: "The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. 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..."

"...Europe’s position is clear. 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."

Should European sides stay firm it is likely to force FIFA's hand with a World Cup unlikely to be nearly as successful – or as appetising for the never-ending hunger of investors – with out European sides, which of course include the current champions, Spain.

"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," the statement concluded.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by UEFA (@uefa)