UEFA lifts threat, will not boycott FIFA competitions for one year | OneFootball

UEFA confirmed it has lifted, for one year, its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after securing withdrawal of a plan to sell a portion of World Cup rights and a pledge it will never be revived. The European body is still keeping pressure on Gianni Infantino.

The decision followed a Thursday meeting of all 55 associations. The threat had been issued on 30 July, two days after FIFA and Infantino unveiled a secret plan for a commercial company to bundle key assets, including World Cup rights, for private investors, stating that no European national team would enter any FIFA competition while it stood.

Even after FIFA dropped the idea, UEFA waited for firm guarantees. It then received a written commitment signed by secretary general Mattias Grafström, rather than Infantino, permanently renouncing any sale to private investors.

UEFA still aims to unseat Infantino at the elective congress on 18 March in Rabat, Morocco, and has allied with other confederations, including Concacaf and the AFC, to isolate him.

For now, the most likely scenario is Concacaf president Victor Montagliani advancing plans long tied to 2031, which could bring a challenge four years early. If the incumbent runs again, UEFA plans to join partners to offer a credible alternative built on integrity, accountability, development and real institutional change.

Source: L'Équipe

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