UEFA previously announced plans to boycott future World Cups in the wake of Gianni Infantino’s botched plans to sell off stakes in FIFA tournaments to private investors
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino is still under significant pressure(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
UEFA have dropped a bombshell on Gianni Infantino by confirming their boycott of future tournaments still stands, with the beleaguered FIFA chief clinging onto his position.
Infantino was forced to withdraw plans to sell off future FIFA tournaments to private investors following a furious backlash from football federation’s, the vast majority of whom condemned the plans. UEFA provided the strongest rebuttal, insisting it’s nations would boycott the next World Cup if the plans were not abandoned.
And they have reaffirmed that European nations will not participate in FIFA’s events if their conditions following the scandal are not met, including assurances that such a plot would never be concocted again, after it emerged Infantino retained the ‘full support’ of FIFA’s board on Wednesday night.
A UEFA statement shared on Thursday afternoon read: “UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions.
“First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn, and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.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 (Wednesday) announcement that some people employed by the FIFA President (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing.”
UEFA are still preparing to boycott future World Cups(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images)
UEFA’s latest public attack on Infantino means the significant heat which has been on the Swiss executive in recent weeks is unlikely to subside anytime soon.
Shortly after UEFA’s statement was released, the English Football Association officially sent its letter withdrawing support for Infantino’s re-election, potentially opening the floodgates for other major nations to follow.
Although UEFA were the only confederation to threaten a complete boycott of FIFA tournaments, Concacaf and the Asian Football Federation also rejected Infantino’s plans. Concacaf were the only other confederation to publicly question Infantino, though.
Infantino apologised for “mistakes” in a letter addressing the botched plans, which would have seen national federations bank £30.1million courtesy of the FIFA Forward Enterprise.
