NYON (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – No surprises. After all, UEFA had been very clear in the two statements issued on Tuesday and Wednesday in response to the new initiatives launched by Gianni Infantino’s FIFA. European football is boycotting the world governing body.
In an official statement, the European football confederation, headed by Aleksander Čeferin, announced the form of protest it has chosen. “UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions,” the statement reads. “UEFA and its 55 member associations are united. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership of the FIFA World Cup and other competitions to private investors. The FIFA World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and fans from every continent. No part of it should ever be handed over to private investors. The FIFA World Cup is not for sale,” the Nyon-based body stressed.
“It is irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such importance for football was conceived in secret and brought close to approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with the stewardship of the sport. This is not only a serious failure of leadership, but a complete abdication of FIFA’s duty as the guardian of world football.”
“National associations around the world are now being presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible takeover of football’s biggest competitions or face the consequences. This is not a ‘democratic decision’, but governance through intimidation, an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with safeguarding world football,” UEFA continued.
“Our opposition goes far beyond the procedure. The moment outside investors acquire ownership stakes in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial profit becomes a permanent obligation. Investors’ expectations become a daily pressure. From that point on, every decision regarding the international calendar, competition formats and the future of football will no longer be guided by what improves our sport, but by what serves shareholders. This model has no place in world football.”
“The future of football cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose primary duty is to maximise financial profit. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters be subordinated to investors’ profits. Football cannot mortgage its future for short-term financial gain.”
UEFA added: “Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend our legitimacy to this model. No one has the moral authority to sell what is merely being held in trust for future generations. Following today’s discussion, no UEFA national team will take part in any FIFA competition as long as these proposals remain in place, unless they are withdrawn in their entirety and binding guarantees are provided that FIFA will never again open its governance or its competitions to private ownership.”
“No one should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination. There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are willing to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments. Some things are simply too important to be sold. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football and will always belong to football. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
