Europe’s leading football associations have thrown their weight behind UEFA’s decision to boycott FIFA competitions if the world football governing body proceeds with plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
The backlash followed UEFA’s unanimous vote on Thursday opposing FIFA’s controversial proposal, with several national football associations warning they would pull out of FIFA competitions unless the governing body abandons the plan.
England’s Football Association expressed unwavering support for UEFA, insisting that the World Cup must remain under the control of football authorities.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view. We oppose FIFA’s plans — the FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will,” the FA said in a statement.
The Scottish Football Association also backed the proposed boycott, accusing FIFA of failing to properly consult stakeholders before unveiling the proposal.
“The Scottish FA Board agrees unequivocally with the concerns raised by all members over the manner in which these proposals have been issued, and the deadline set, without a full consultation process or consideration to good governance,” it said.
Danish Football Association chairman Jesper Moller rejected the proposal outright, arguing that private investors should have no role in the governance of world football.
“It is out of the question to accede to an agreement of this nature, where we invite private investors into the heart of FIFA. We will therefore support all necessary measures to stop this project,” he said.
Germany also voiced strong opposition through Alexander Wehrle, chairman of the supervisory board of the German FA’s economic and digital subsidiary and chief executive of Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart.
“A line has once again been crossed and he (Gianni Infantino) wants to sell off football,” Wehrle said.
“I don’t believe an association’s overriding principle should be profit maximisation. Something has gone off track here, and it has to stop.”
Sweden’s Football Association echoed UEFA’s concerns, stressing that any proposal capable of reshaping international football should be subject to an open, transparent and fully consultative process.
Norwegian Football Association president Lise Klaveness warned that member associations were prepared to act on their threat if FIFA failed to reconsider its position.
“We cannot accept a process where a project that changes the very core of our shared model is developed in secret, outside the elected bodies, and presented as a done deal without any consultation,” Klaveness said.
“The message from Norway and UEFA is clear: if this project continues, we will withdraw from FIFA competitions.”
The opposition also drew support from political leaders. British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described UEFA’s stance as “a principled decision,” arguing that football belongs to supporters rather than billionaire investors.
British politician Nigel Farage also endorsed UEFA’s position and called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign.
The coordinated response came just hours after UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously agreed to boycott FIFA competitions if the global governing body presses ahead with the proposed sale of a stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup without wider consultation, escalating one of the most significant governance disputes in international football in recent years.
