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FIFA has withdrawn its controversial plan to permit private investment in its commercial and event operations, including the FIFA World Cup, but UEFA has renewed its threat to boycott future FIFA competitions. The stalemate is a clear sign of the growing friction between world football’s governing body and its European counterpart over the future governance and commercial direction of the sport.
The dispute was sparked by FIFA’s announcement of plans to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial company that could have allowed third-party investors to buy into FIFA’s business activities. The proposal was immediately criticised by UEFA and several other confederations, who expressed concerns about transparency, governance and the potential for commercial interests to influence the game’s biggest tournaments.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said, following a storm of criticism, that the proposal would be dropped and apologised, reiterating FIFA’s commitment to an open consultation process with member associations and confederations. FIFA also said it would not make any changes without broad support from the football community.
UEFA, however, remains unconvinced and has maintained its boycott stance. In a statement, UEFA said:
“UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to non-participation in FIFA competitions. First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and, secondly, assurances had to be given that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way would never be made again.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.”
The post UEFA maintains World Cup boycott warning despite FIFA retreat appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.