UEFA keeps World Cup boycott threat despite FIFA apology for sale plan
by Alex Butler · UPIAug. 6 (UPI) -- UEFA is holding on to its threat of a World Cup boycott, despite apologies from FIFA and Gianni Infantino for plans, now withdrawn, to sell stakes in the tournament.
The Union of European Football Associations features 55 national association members, including champion Spain, No. 3 France and No. 4 England. The governing body for European soccer announced July 30 that it rejected FIFA's proposal to sell shares in a company to run the World Cup to private investors.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football and the Asian Football Confederation also publicly opposed the proposal, which was subject to support of the majority of FIFA's member associations
"UEFA's associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions," UEFA said in a statement.
"First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn, and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again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.
"[Wednesday's] announcement that some people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on his favor) agree with him changes nothing."
Infantino withdrew the proposal Saturday. FIFA issued another statement Wednesday, acknowledging that "mistakes were made" in the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. FIFA also said it "will not tolerate any attacks on its integrity and will take all necessary measures to defend its reputation."
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstromand and members of the FIFA management board, which met Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, also "reaffirmed their full support" for Infantino, who faces pressure to resign.
The next FIFA presidential election will be March 18 in Rabat.