UEFA drops FIFA boycott threat over World Cup sell-off

UEFA is set to formally withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving binding assurances that Gianni Infantino's plan to sell private stakes in the World Cup will not be revived, according to the Associated Press and multiple reports on Wednesday.10news+1

The decision, expected to be confirmed at a meeting of UEFA's 55 member federations in Monaco on Thursday ahead of the Champions League draw, clears six European teams to participate in the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup kicking off Sept. 5 in Poland.usatoday+1

Two Conditions Met

UEFA had set two non-negotiable conditions for lifting the boycott: the withdrawal of Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and a formal guarantee that no similar privatization scheme would be attempted again. A person familiar with the proposal told the AP that both conditions have now been satisfied.irishtimes+2

The crisis began in late July when The Times revealed Infantino's plan for a $20 billion subsidiary controlling FIFA commercial rights, with 20% ownership by investors led by a New York fund created by Joshua Kushner. Infantino scrapped the proposal within four days amid backlash from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF.telegraph+1

Despite exchanging barbs publicly, UEFA and FIFA are understood to have conducted private negotiations over the terms of removing the boycott for several weeks, according to The Guardian.irishtimes

Pressure on Infantino Continues

Lifting the boycott does not signal reconciliation with Infantino. UEFA maintains its Aug. 1 declaration that it has no confidence in his leadership and continues pushing for his departure ahead of FIFA's presidential election in March in Rabat, Morocco.frontofficesports+1

"This isn't a retreat," a source familiar with the talks told the BBC. "This is not a defeat for UEFA, but rather a necessity to protect young players from losing a unique opportunity".bbc

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said on The Rest is Politics podcast released Sunday that Infantino must either resign or face a challenger in March's election. Additionally, UEFA's legal team has sent formal warnings to FIFA threatening arbitration and lawsuits in U.S. courts over alleged mismanagement related to the sell-off plan.marca+3

Dueling Player Endorsements

The political battle has spilled into the player community. On Wednesday, South American football legends including World Cup winners Cafu and Roberto Carlos, along with Javier Zanetti, posted statements supporting Infantino, praising FIFA's efforts to give players "a voice and a place in our sport".espn+1

Their statements countered a group of European former players — including Emmanuel Petit, Robert Pires, Bixente Lizarazu, and Didier Drogba — who called for "necessary change" at FIFA's top, saying "power has clouded the ability of the current leadership to distinguish between their own interests and what is really best for football".bbc+1

FIFA's deadline for presidential candidates to enter the contest is Nov. 18.10news