RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 18 sourcesUefa has announced a boycott of Fifa competitions while Gianni Infantino presses on with controversial plans to privitise the World Cup - but will anyone join them?
Uefa confirmed the extraordinary action following an emergency meeting of its 55 member associations on Thursday, with European football “standing as one” against the proposals .
Gianni Infantino has not backed down from his plans despite Uefa’s boycott (Reuters)
Infantino has not backed down over Uefa’s boycott threat, with a statement on Friday morning confirming that Fifa will continue its consultation period ahead of a vote on 19 September.
Fifa can only pass the proposals if the majority of its 211 member associations, so more than half, votes for it and the Fifa High Council gives it their backing.
Uefa’s opposition is clear - but how about the other five confederations?
Concacaf
Or The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, has 41 members. In a statement on Thursday, following their own emergency meting, Concacaf “rejected the proposal” and expressed “deep concerns about the lack of due process”.
Concacaf stopped short of joining Uefa’s boycott, however, but it is understood that the vast majority of its members have lost confidence in Infantino’s presidency. “The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance,” Concacaf said.
Stance: Against
Asia
The Asian Football Confederation, which has 47 members, released a statement on Friday morning confirming that it “stands in solidarity with Uefa and Concacaf” in expressing “serious concerns” over Fifa’s proposal.
“The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game,” the AFC said.
“The AFC believes that the proposed [Football Forward Enterprise] cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward,” it added.
Even stronger criticism came from the AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa on Thursday. He said Fifa’s approach was “unacceptable” and “undermine the very foundations of continental football”.
The AFC also called for Fifa to “undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework”.
Stance: Against
Africa
The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that it would meet next week to “assess and evaluate” Fifa’s proposals.
The AFC has 54 member associations and a statement said: “CAF is committed to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, Fifa, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide.”
It has not yet responded to Uefa’s boycott, and while it has not expressed direct support, it has not criticised any element of Fifa’s proposals, either.
Stance: Open to consideration
South America
The South American governing body Conmebol has yet to comment publicly. Conmebol only has 10 members, but Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are set to host games at the 2030 World Cup. Theoretically, if co-hosts Spain and Portugal are boycotting the tournament, South America could be in a position to host more World Cup games along with the only remaining co-host, Morocco.
Uefa and Conmebol previously signed a “memorandum of understanding”, agreeing a “strategic collaboration agreement to strengthen and develop football in both regions” - but it remains to be seen whether Conmebol sides with Fifa or Uefa.
Stance: To be determined
Oceania
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has 11 member associations, including nations such as the Cook Islands and Tahiti, that are among the smallest of Fifa’s 211 members. It does not include Australia, which is part of the AFC.
In a statement on Thursday, the OFC said Fifa’s proposals would be discussed by the by the OFC Executive Committee in August. It didn’t criticise Fifa’s plans or support them,
It added: “OFC remains committed to engaging constructively with its Member Associations, Fifa, fellow Confederations and other football stakeholders throughout the consultation process and in support of the continued development of football across Oceania and globally.”
Stance: Open to consideration
How could a vote look?
As it stands, Uefa looks as if it will have enough support to defeat the proposals - assuming that its 55 member associations “follow the whip”. With its 55 votes, combined with Concacaf’s 41 and the AFC’s 54, the opposition to Fifa’s proposals would have 150 of the 211 votes. To secure a majority of over 50 per cent, 106 votes are needed.
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