UEFA votes to boycott World Cup over controversial FIFA sell-off plan


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European nations have agreed to boycott the World Cup if Gianni Infantino goes ahead with selling off part of the tournament to private investors. UEFA nations were due to hold an emergency meeting virtually this week to discuss their opposition to FIFA's attempt to launch a new commercial company with external investment, a sourc

UEFA members have unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup if FIFA's plans to sell stakes in the tournament proceed [00:05]. European football authorities held an emergency meeting following a proposal introduced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino

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[00:15], which UEFA described as an irresponsible and indefensible decision [01:23].

Key details of the situation include:

The Proposed Deal: FIFA plans to create a new spin-off vehicle to oversee commercial operations for the World Cup, with appro

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ximately 20% owned by private investors, including entities with links to Donald Trump and his family [01:44]. Member nations were given a tight deadline of September 19th to decide whether to accept the proposals [01:38].

UEFA's Stance: UEFA and it

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s 55 member associations—including England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Spain—stand together in rejecting the transfer of ownership interests to private investors, stating that the World Cup "cannot be treated as an investment product" [0

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2:08].

The FA's Response: The Football Association issued a statement declaring that they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their European colleagues and fully support the collective opposition [03:41].

Expert Reaction: Former FA Chairman David Bernst

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ein appeared on the program to express strong support for UEFA's hardline stance [04:15], calling the deal a product of terrible governance and poor consultation [04:22]. While acknowledging that raising capital could potentially help fund grassroot

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s football and infrastructure [07:25], he criticized the secretive manner in which the agreement was pursued [05:10].

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaGrbgnUOhw

UEFA votes to boycott World Cup over controversial FIFA sell-off plan

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Viewer Discussion & Comments

@jimmyjackson3117
He's a rat...he's getting paid off...he shouldn't have a job
@obez42
Well done UEFA!!
@9ihhjx
Hats off to U.E.F.A.
@nattytom7777
This has got a certain orange one written all over it. Total corruption.
@averageperson8882
This is what happens when the US get their hands on football. First the awful water breaks and bribes to remove their player’s bans and now this.
@Sabre_Wulf1
Shareholders will demand match rigging. This year's world cup was a test run to see if they can get away with it.
@LiaDanRides
absolutely right FIFA should be boycotted. Utter corruption. Football is and will always be the people's sport!
@colcocon6021
Without the big European nations the World Cup becomes nothing but a joke. And nobody with half a brain would invest a cent in it.
@senanshortt5521
Infantino should be removed from office and charged with corruption ASAP
@ParvezAhmed-c6n
Boycotting is the only way..
@oconnor80
Boycott indeed 👍🏻
@pallyali786
Whatever America touches turns into absolute sh1t.
@micxcim384
That is not enough. The boycott should continue until Infantino and the top FIFA officials announce their resignation.
@adagietto2523
Now we can see why Infantino was snuggling up to Trump and gave him a "peace prize"! Utterly revolting.
@conner.9262
As soon as the WC goes to America corruption kicks off……. It is a disgrace…….