The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is preparing to hold an urgent and decisive meeting today to confront the plans of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) regarding the sale of part of its assets through a new commercial company.
This move comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced details of this controversial plan, which has sparked widespread discontent within continental and national federations alike.
UEFA, along with member associations, aims to reach a unified and strong stance to reject Infantino’s initiative, which some view as an attempt to privatize a part of global football.
UEFA responded quickly and firmly to these developments, issuing a strongly worded statement condemning the project and announcing its intention to organize a unified front to resist this step.
Press reports indicate that European countries will hold an emergency meeting via video conference this week to formulate a shared vision among various national associations about what some call the “sale of the World Cup.”
UEFA believes such moves require broader consensus and in-depth study of their impacts on the future of the game, especially as they affect the core of major competitions.
On the other hand, FIFA affirmed that this ambitious project, which aims to bring a qualitative leap economically to football, will not be implemented without the support of member associations.
To secure this support, particularly from lower-income associations, Gianni Infantino promised financial incentives, including donating part of the revenues to “voluntary” associations, in addition to promises of one-time checks that could amount to up to 20 million US dollars for each association, in an attempt to gain backing for FIFA’s plans.
