FIFA’s plan to inject private money into the World Cup hit with abrupt UEFA boycott | CNN

The 55 members making up European soccer governing body UEFA unanimously voted Thursday in support of a boycott of future men’s and women’s World Cups in reaction to global soccer governing body FIFA’s plan to inject private money into its competitions.

The UEFA vote was an authoritative statement, pitting the richest and most important national associations against FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino.

FIFA and Infantino announced plans Tuesday to set up a separate subsidiary – involving private equity investment – that would control the commercial and operational rights of one of the globe’s biggest sporting events.

The proposal has come under intense scrutiny and criticism from many around the world, with UEFA saying the “soul and governance” of the game are under threat. FIFA, though, said that the money generated from what it calls the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) will be reinvested back into the sport.

“Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation,” UEFA said in a Thursday statement.