UEFA kept its boycott threat against FIFA competitions on Thursday even after FIFA abandoned a USD 4.2 billion private-investment plan, saying its conditions remained unmet and confidence in Gianni Infantino had not returned.
FIFA announced the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal on July 28. The new subsidiary would have combined commercial rights and tournament operations while raising up to USD 4.2 billion from minority investors at an implied valuation of USD 20 billion. FIFA said it would retain sole control over football governance and sporting decisions.
UEFA’s 55 member associations had threatened to stay away from FIFA competitions unless the proposal was withdrawn and FIFA provided assurances that similar private-investment efforts would not return. UEFA said Thursday that those requirements had not been fully satisfied.
The European governing body also reiterated that it had lost confidence in Infantino’s presidency. FIFA abandoned the FFE proposal last weekend following resistance from football organisations and other stakeholders.
Read: UEFA Boycott Covers All FIFA National-Team Competitions
The dispute has divided football’s governing bodies. CONMEBOL criticised what it described as unilateral decision-making, while the players’ union movement raised concerns about governance and the lack of meaningful consultation over the proposal.
The Confederation of African Football, however, continued to back Infantino. The supplied report said CAF members unanimously reaffirmed their support amid increased pressure on the FIFA president.
