The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has strongly criticised reports that FIFA President Gianni Infantino is considering selling a stake in the FIFA World Cup, describing the move as a fundamental threat to the governance and integrity of football.
In a sharply worded statement, UEFA said the reported initiative crosses « a red line » that football’s governing bodies should never cross. « This initiative crosses a red line that football’s governing bodies should never cross. UEFA takes this matter extremely seriously, and every national football association should do the same. »
The European governing body also called on leagues, clubs, players, supporters and governments to pay close attention to the issue, arguing that it concerns the future of the global game.
« Football is not for sale »
UEFA insisted that football’s governance and identity cannot be treated as commercial assets. « The soul and governance of football are not assets to be sold, especially in the complete absence of transparency about who would financially benefit from such a transaction. »
The organisation further argued that no single institution owns the sport and rejected the idea that FIFA has the authority to monetise its flagship competition in this way. « None of us owns football. It is not FIFA’s to sell. »
The statement marks one of UEFA’s strongest public rebukes of FIFA under Gianni Infantino and signals growing opposition to any proposal that would involve private investors acquiring a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup.
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