UEFA and its 55 associations boycott FIFA and the World Cup

World football is going through an unprecedented institutional earthquake. Opposed to FIFA’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, UEFA and its 55 member associations have banged their fists on the table in a statement of unprecedented severity.

The European governing body is quite simply threatening to stop taking part in competitions organized by FIFA, notably the World Cup.

Here is UEFA’s statement, translated into French:

“Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 national associations

UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions.

UEFA and its 55 member associations stand united. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to sell ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.

The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams, and supporters across every continent. No part of that legacy should ever be handed over to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such importance to football was devised in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with the stewardship of the sport. This represents not only a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the guardian of world football.

National associations around the world are now being faced with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s biggest competitions or suffer the consequences. This is not a ‘democratic decision,’ but governance through intimidation. It is an act of coercion unworthy of an institution charged with overseeing world football.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.