UEFA still plan to boycott FIFA tournaments as things stand (Image: Getty)
UEFA still plan to boycott FIFA competitions despite Gianni Infantino backing down over plans to sell a stake in future tournaments. The European governing body state that they do not have confidence in the FIFA president.
Infantino had wanted to implement the FIFA Forward Enterprise to sell a share of the World Cup to external investors. The FIFA boss told federations that those who supported the endeavour would receive £30million by January, leading Infantino to be accused of blackmail by the president of the Jordan FA.
Infantino has apologised but that has not proven enough for UEFA to back down over their threat to avoid FIFA tournaments. The Football Association have also sent a letter withdrawing support for Infantino’s re-election.
A UEFA statement said: “UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions.
“First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn, and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.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 (Wednesday) announcement that some people employed by the FIFA President (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing.”
UEFA’s statement comes after Infantino received the backing of FIFA’s leaders, following calls for him to resign. In a statement released after crisis talks in Morocco, FIFA said its management board had reaffirmed their “full support” for Infantino.
World football’s governing body said they would “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”.
They added that it had “not been the intention… for member associations to feel excluded from the process” and acknowledged “errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.”
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There are widespread calls for Gianni Infantino to resign (Image: Getty)
Infantino has come in for criticism from people in and outside of football. Portugal and Real Madrid legend Luis Figo called the Italian’s actions “the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed”.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke out about Infantino at a press conference on Wednesday, questioning his credentials.
[FIFA] have their own procedures for making those determinations but certainly I don’t have confidence in Mr. Infantino after this point, given what transpired and given the nature of what transpired,
Carney said.
Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of Global Football Development, distanced himself from Infantino’s proposal. “The recent events at Fifa deserve some clarity from my side,” he said.
“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.
“The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent Fifa that serves our game with commitment, transparency and integrity.”