UEFA maintains World Cup boycott threat despite FIFA U-turn | OneFootball

UEFA says the withdrawal of FIFA’s controversial private investment plans has not gone far enough, insisting president Gianni Infantino remains without its backing.

Infantino faced fierce criticism after plans to sell stakes in a new FIFA commercial entity were met with widespread opposition from confederations, member associations and other football stakeholders.

Despite the proposals being withdrawn, European football’s governing body has reiterated its threat to boycott the World Cup after FIFA’s leadership pledged their support for Infantino’s presidency.

“UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to their non participation in FIFA competitions,” the statement from UEFA says.

“First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.

“These conditions have not been met. In addition, UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. That position holds.

“Yesterday’s announcement that some people employed by the FIFA President (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing.”

FIFA yesterday apologised for the way it handled Infantino’s controversial World Cup sell-off proposal.

In a letter to FIFA’s member associations, Infantino admitted that “mistakes were made” during the process and apologised for the way the plans were communicated.

“We sincerely apologise for these errors and commit to them not happening again,” the letter said, adding that FIFA would carry out a governance review and present its findings to the FIFA Council.

But despite the backlash, FIFA’s leadership has publicly united behind Infantino after crisis talks, insisting he retains their full confidence.

However, the latest statement from UEFA has made clear that trust has not been restored, with its threat to withdraw from FIFA competitions remaining unless further assurances are provided.