ROME (ITALPRESS) – UEFA is reportedly ready to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving firm guarantees that the plan to sell stakes in World Cup rights will not be revived. This is according to The Guardian, which reports that the European governing body has secured binding assurances from FIFA that no plan similar to the controversial “FIFA Forward Enterprise” project will be put forward in the future. The issue arose in recent weeks following the disclosure of the initiative—linked to President Gianni Infantino—which envisaged the potential involvement of private investors in the capital associated with World Cup competitions. FIFA withdrew the proposal just four days after it became public, yet UEFA maintained its stance, demanding guarantees that initiatives of this nature would not be proposed again. After weeks of private discussions, the parties have reportedly reached a resolution. According to The Guardian, FIFA formalized its assurances via private correspondence, pledging not to again advance a project involving the privatization or sale of World Cup stakes along the lines of the one originally proposed.
The most immediate consequence concerns the Women’s Under-20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in Poland on September 5th. European national teams are expected to be authorized to participate in the competition as planned, thereby averting the risk of a major boycott. While official confirmation is still pending, the matter could be addressed as early as Thursday in Monte Carlo, where a meeting between the UEFA Executive Committee and the heads of national federations is scheduled. The presidents of UEFA’s 55 member associations will meet on the eve of the Champions League draw—one of the most significant days in the European football calendar. However, this easing of tensions regarding competitions does not signal a political U-turn by UEFA. European football’s stance toward Infantino remains unchanged; according to *The Guardian*, the goal of replacing the FIFA president has not been abandoned. Further initiatives concerning relations with the international federation’s current leadership may also be discussed in Monte Carlo.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
