UEFA set to abandon threat to boycott FIFA competitions

UEFA is set to abandon its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that plans to allow private investors to acquire stakes in FIFA tournaments will not be revived. 

The issue is expected to be discussed at UEFA’s executive committee meeting in Monaco on Thursday, with the decision potentially clearing the way for upcoming competitions involving European teams.

The dispute began after FIFA president Gianni Infantino proposed creating a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprises, which would have allowed outside investors to purchase minority stakes in major FIFA competitions. 

The plan faced strong opposition, particularly from UEFA, before Infantino eventually withdrew the proposal and apologized for what he described as errors.

Earlier this month, UEFA maintained that the conditions for avoiding a boycott had not been met, insisting that firm guarantees were needed to ensure similar plans would never be proposed again.

However, sources close to the discussions say UEFA has now received assurances considered sufficient to remove the boycott threat.

The decision would be particularly significant for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup scheduled for next month in Poland. 

Six European nations, England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland, are due to compete, and UEFA’s decision would allow the tournament to proceed as planned.

Despite the expected withdrawal of the boycott threat, UEFA is not abandoning its wider opposition to Infantino’s leadership. 

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has indicated that he expects Infantino either to resign or face a challenger in next year’s FIFA presidential election. 

One source close to UEFA’s position said the decision should not be viewed as a climbdown, stressing that opponents of Infantino would continue pushing for major changes within FIFA.

The dispute has also divided former football stars, with some publicly calling for change at FIFA while others have backed Infantino. 

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre was among those calling for change, while FIFA Legends including Cafu, Christian Vieri, Pepe and Esteban Cambiasso expressed support for Infantino. 

The easing of the boycott threat may therefore provide short-term relief for players and competitions, but the wider battle between UEFA and FIFA over leadership and governance appears far from over.