UEFA Faces Backlash from FIFA Over Plan That Could See Uefa World Cup Boycott
FIFA's plan to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, has sparked a major crisis in world football.
The Football Association says it is "deeply concerned" about Fifa's plan, with Uefa's 55 member nations set to hold an emergency meeting later this week amid growing anger at the proposals. An FA spokeswoman said: "We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is and what conditions are attached."
FIFA's plan would see external investors buying stakes in the commercial subsidiary, which has prompted fears that too much influence in the World Cup and other competitions will be handed to private investors. This could lead to massive expansion of the men's and women's World Cup and Club World Cup.
Uefa is not the only organisation unhappy with the situation. Concacaf, which covers North and Central America and hosted this summer's World Cup, is also concerned at the turn of events. "We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process," the organisation said in its own statement. "We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place."
While the confederation only accounts for a quarter of FIFA's 211-country membership, it does include most of the world's most successful teams. Six of the eight quarter-finalists – including winners Spain – at this summer's World Cup were European. In the 2022 and 2018 editions, the figures were five and six respectively.
FIFA's argument that it is compelled to look at proposals that would help it grow the game globally has led to fears about expansion at a time when proposals for a 64-team World Cup in 2030, which will be hosted by six countries in three confederations, are gathering pace. That would have huge implications for the football calendar, which is already squeezed, partly because of the expansion of European club competitions.
One senior source within the English game told BBC Sport the threat posed by FIFA's plan is one of the biggest the game has faced and is on a par with the European Super League plan, which created controversy in 2021 and was scrapped within 48 hours. It seems unlikely FIFA will back down in the same manner.
FIFA said its plan is to extend global development funding to $10bn (£7.5bn). It is also planning to offer each of the 211 member associations the opportunity to access up to $20m (£15m) in one-off capital.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final this month in protest at a number of controversial moves, including US President Donald Trump stepping in to help turn USA forward Folarin Balogun's one-match ban into a suspended ban, allowing him to play in the last-16 encounter with Belgium. The latest escalation extends a difficult relationship between FIFA and Uefa, which responded angrily to attempts to hold the World Cup every two years when the idea was floated by former Arsenal manager and FIFA's current chief of global football development Arsene Wenger in 2021.
The emergency meeting will be held virtually and offer the opportunity to work out a plan of action. Given the strength of feeling, it would be a surprise if the possibility of a boycott was not at least raised.
Source: BBC Sports