By Adegboyega Adeleye
Europe’s leading football associations have rallied behind UEFA’s decision to boycott FIFA competitions if the world governing body proceeds with plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
The strong reactions followed UEFA’s unanimous vote on Thursday to oppose FIFA’s controversial proposal, with several national football associations warning they would withdraw from FIFA tournaments unless the governing body reverses course.
England’s Football Association declared its full support for UEFA, insisting the World Cup should remain in the hands of football.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view. We oppose FIFA’s plans — the FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will,” the FA said in a statement.
Scotland’s Football Association also endorsed the boycott, criticising FIFA over what it described as a lack of consultation and poor governance.
“The Scottish FA Board agrees unequivocally with the concerns raised by all members over the manner in which these proposals have been issued, and the deadline set, without a full consultation process or consideration to good governance,” it said.
Danish FA chairman Jesper Moller dismissed the proposal outright, saying football’s governing body should not allow private investors into its core operations.
“It is out of the question to accede to an agreement of this nature, where we invite private investors into the heart of FIFA. We will therefore support all necessary measures to stop this project,” he said.
Germany also voiced strong opposition through Alexander Wehrle, chairman of the supervisory board of the German FA’s economic and digital subsidiary and chief executive of Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart.
“A line has once again been crossed and he (Gianni Infantino) wants to sell off football,” Wehrle said.
“I don’t believe an association’s overriding principle should be profit maximisation. Something has gone off track here, and it has to stop.”
Sweden’s Football Association echoed UEFA’s concerns, saying any proposal with such far-reaching implications for international football should be handled through an open, transparent and properly consulted process.
Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness warned FIFA that member associations were prepared to follow through with the boycott if the proposal continued.
“We cannot accept a process where a project that changes the very core of our shared model is developed in secret, outside the elected bodies, and presented as a done deal without any consultation,” Klaveness said.
“The message from Norway and UEFA is clear: if this project continues, we will withdraw from FIFA competitions.”
The backlash also extended beyond football administrators.
British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described UEFA’s position as “a principled decision”, saying football belongs to supporters rather than billionaire investors.
Meanwhile, British politician Nigel Farage backed UEFA’s stance and called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign.
The coordinated responses came hours after UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously agreed to boycott FIFA competitions should the global governing body press ahead with plans to sell a stake in the commercial operation of the World Cup without broader consultation, escalating one of the biggest governance disputes in world football in recent years.
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