UEFA, Europe’s soccer governing body, announced that all 55 of its member federations will boycott all FIFA events in protest of president Gianni Infantino’s attempt to privatize the World Cup.
Infantino proposed earlier this week that private investors should be able to buy shares in the World Cup while continuing to cozy up to United States President Donald Trump, who has practically been attached at the FIFA president’s hip throughout his second term in office.
The proposal would create a company, FIFA Forward Enterprises, to run the world soccer governing body’s commercial operations. FIFA, however, is classified as a non-profit in Switzerland, where its main offices are based, and would be a main shareholder of FFE while still serving as the world’s governing soccer body.
An excerpt from UEFA’s statement is as follows:
“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 it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entursted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.
National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a ‘democratic decision,’ but governance by intimidation — an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game.”
Thrive Capital, which is run by Joshua Kushner — brother of President Trump’s son-in-law and special peace envoy, Jared — is the main investor. Apollo Global Management and its CEO, Marc Rowan, who is on Trump’s Board of Peace and a significant donor, is also believed to be in the mix.
Infantino alerted all of FIFA’s member associations that a decision must be made by Sept. 19, though FIFA bylaws require 75% approval for this to go through. He is promising a $10 billion funding influx, which would reward each association with roughly $40 million.
UEFA’s decision to boycott delivers a major blow to Infantino’s hopes of getting this over the line. Europe dominates the world’s soccer stage, with all but one of every World Cup champion since 2006 hailing from the continent. Holding what has become the world’s largest sporting spectacle every four years without the likes of France, England, Germany, Spain, and Portugal immediately saps the competition’s legitimacy.
They should have company soon. The governing bodies of both Asia (AFC) and North and Central America (CONCACAF) have already expressed deep concern about this proposal, while the African federation (CAF) will meet next week to discuss its next course of action. South American (CONMEBOL) and Oceania (OFC) have not yet commented publicly.
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