The European soccer governing body, UEFA, has unanimously voted to boycott future men’s and women’s World Cups in reaction to FIFA’s plan to inject private money into its competitions. UEFA’s 55 member associations are opposed to FIFA’s proposal to set up a separate subsidiary involving private equity investment, which would control the commercial and operational rights of the World Cup.

UEFA’s Concerns

UEFA has expressed concerns that the involvement of private investors would undermine the integrity of the game and put the interests of investors above those of the sport. The organization has stated that it will not participate in any FIFA competition until the proposal is abandoned and binding assurances are given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.

The UEFA boycott would affect several upcoming FIFA competitions, including the 2030 World Cup and next year’s women’s World Cup in Brazil. The boycott has been supported by several European countries, including England, Spain, and France, as well as the European Commissioner of Sport.

Global Reaction

The UEFA boycott has sparked a global reaction, with other continental confederations, such as CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, expressing concerns about FIFA’s proposal. The Asian Football Confederation has also criticized FIFA’s lack of consultation with its members.

The UEFA boycott is seen as a significant blow to FIFA’s plans to increase revenue through private investment. The organization has argued that the investment is necessary to grow the sport and increase its global reach. However, UEFA and other critics argue that the involvement of private investors would compromise the integrity of the game and prioritize profits over the interests of the sport.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.