RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 6 sourcesUefa has reiterated that European countries will boycott the World Cup if Gianni Infantino remains in power, hours after Fifa indicated its under-fire president would carry on and still had its “full support” .
Infantino is facing immense pressure to resign after his botched attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors , which was the subject of widespread condemnation.
The plan was rejected by Uefa and two other continental confederations, with the European governing body also stating its 55 member countries would boycott Fifa competitions until the plan was scrapped.
Fifa has backed Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, but Uefa said on Thursday that “changes nothing” and insisted that the conditions of ending its boycott have “not been met”.
Uefa president Alexander Ceferin (left) alongside under-fire Fifa president Gianni Infantino (PA)
“Uefa’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non participation in Fifa competitions,” a Uefa statement read.
“First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.
“These conditions have not been met. In addition, Uefa made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. That position holds.
“Yesterday’s announcement that some people employed by the Fifa President (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing.”
Fifa’s letter to its Council was signed by secretary general Mattias Grafstrom as well as Infantino, which also warned: “With the project withdrawn, Fifa will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.”
Uefa, who were heavily critical over the Folarin Balogun debacle in the summer, staunchly objected to private investors having an influence over a sporting competition, while also criticising the process in which Infantino went about formulating his scheme.
While Fifa’s management board has publicly backed the Swiss-Italian, it comes after numerous figures inside the world governing body have criticised Infantino’s plan. His senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest while chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said Infantino “deceived” staff , before Arsene Wenger said the withdrawal of the project was “absolutely necessary” .
The reiterated boycott throws into doubt the participation of European teams at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next month, which is less than a year out from the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
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