By Adegboyega Adeleye
Europe’s football governing body, UEFA, has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, if president Gianni Infantino proceeds with plans to sell a stake in the governing body’s tournaments to private investors.
The warning followed an emergency meeting involving UEFA’s 55 member associations on Thursday, where officials unanimously opposed FIFA’s proposal to seek outside investment in competitions such as the men’s and women’s World Cups.
The move marks one of the biggest confrontations between UEFA and FIFA in recent years and could derail Infantino’s ambitious commercial plans, as European nations account for many of football’s biggest teams, players and television markets.
According to Sky Sports, UEFA believes allowing private investors to acquire a stake in FIFA competitions could fundamentally alter the future ownership and commercial direction of the sport.
