UEFA rejects Infantino apology, stands firm on FIFA boycott threat
FIFA may have withdrawn its controversial World Cup commercial rights proposal, but the fallout continues. UEFA says its trust in Gianni Infantino remains broken and insists the conditions to end its boycott threat have still not been met.
UEFA has doubled down on its threat to boycott FIFA competitions, insisting that world football's governing body has failed to address the concerns surrounding its controversial plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments. The European governing body also maintained that it continues to have no confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino despite his public apology.
The fresh statement comes a day after FIFA held a high-level summit in Morocco, where Infantino apologised to member associations over the handling of the now-abandoned commercial proposal. While FIFA confirmed the plan had been withdrawn and reiterated its backing for Infantino, UEFA said the apology did little to change its position.
"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"First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again."
UEFA SAYS TRUST REMAINS BROKEN
The dispute began after FIFA proposed creating a commercial entity that would allow outside investors to acquire stakes in its flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. The proposal drew widespread criticism across world football, with UEFA emerging as one of its strongest opponents before FIFA eventually withdrew the plan.
Following Wednesday's summit, FIFA apologised to its council and member associations for mistakes made during the process and promised to ensure that similar situations would not arise again. The governing body also confirmed that Infantino would remain in office, rejecting suggestions that he should step down.
UEFA, however, believes the issue extends beyond the proposal itself and now centres on leadership and governance.
"These conditions have not been met."
"UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds."
FIFA'S SHOW OF UNITY FAILS TO SWAY EUROPE
Following the Morocco summit, FIFA attempted to present a united front by announcing that Infantino retained the full support of those present while acknowledging errors in the handling of the proposal.
UEFA dismissed that show of unity, arguing that endorsements from FIFA's own leadership did little to restore confidence.
"Yesterday's announcement that some people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on his favor) agree with him changes nothing."
With UEFA refusing to soften its stance despite FIFA's apology and withdrawal of the proposal, the rift between European football's governing body and FIFA remains unresolved. The continuing standoff has added fresh uncertainty over football's global governance, with trust between the two organisations appearing as fractured as ever.
UEFA has doubled down on its threat to boycott FIFA competitions, insisting that world football's governing body has failed to address the concerns surrounding its controversial plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments. The European governing body also maintained that it continues to have no confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino despite his public apology.
The fresh statement comes a day after FIFA held a high-level summit in Morocco, where Infantino apologised to member associations over the handling of the now-abandoned commercial proposal. While FIFA confirmed the plan had been withdrawn and reiterated its backing for Infantino, UEFA said the apology did little to change its position.
"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."
UEFA SAYS TRUST REMAINS BROKEN
The dispute began after FIFA proposed creating a commercial entity that would allow outside investors to acquire stakes in its flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. The proposal drew widespread criticism across world football, with UEFA emerging as one of its strongest opponents before FIFA eventually withdrew the plan.
Following Wednesday's summit, FIFA apologised to its council and member associations for mistakes made during the process and promised to ensure that similar situations would not arise again. The governing body also confirmed that Infantino would remain in office, rejecting suggestions that he should step down.
UEFA, however, believes the issue extends beyond the proposal itself and now centres on leadership and governance.
"These conditions have not been met."
"UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds."
FIFA'S SHOW OF UNITY FAILS TO SWAY EUROPE
Following the Morocco summit, FIFA attempted to present a united front by announcing that Infantino retained the full support of those present while acknowledging errors in the handling of the proposal.
UEFA dismissed that show of unity, arguing that endorsements from FIFA's own leadership did little to restore confidence.
"Yesterday's announcement that some people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on his favor) agree with him changes nothing."
With UEFA refusing to soften its stance despite FIFA's apology and withdrawal of the proposal, the rift between European football's governing body and FIFA remains unresolved. The continuing standoff has added fresh uncertainty over football's global governance, with trust between the two organisations appearing as fractured as ever.
UEFA has doubled down on its threat to boycott FIFA competitions, insisting that world football's governing body has failed to address the concerns surrounding its controversial plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments. The European governing body also maintained that it continues to have no confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino despite his public apology.
The fresh statement comes a day after FIFA held a high-level summit in Morocco, where Infantino apologised to member associations over the handling of the now-abandoned commercial proposal. While FIFA confirmed the plan had been withdrawn and reiterated its backing for Infantino, UEFA said the apology did little to change its position.
"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."
UEFA SAYS TRUST REMAINS BROKEN
The dispute began after FIFA proposed creating a commercial entity that would allow outside investors to acquire stakes in its flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. The proposal drew widespread criticism across world football, with UEFA emerging as one of its strongest opponents before FIFA eventually withdrew the plan.
Following Wednesday's summit, FIFA apologised to its council and member associations for mistakes made during the process and promised to ensure that similar situations would not arise again. The governing body also confirmed that Infantino would remain in office, rejecting suggestions that he should step down.
UEFA, however, believes the issue extends beyond the proposal itself and now centres on leadership and governance.
"These conditions have not been met."
"UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds."
FIFA'S SHOW OF UNITY FAILS TO SWAY EUROPE
Following the Morocco summit, FIFA attempted to present a united front by announcing that Infantino retained the full support of those present while acknowledging errors in the handling of the proposal.
UEFA dismissed that show of unity, arguing that endorsements from FIFA's own leadership did little to restore confidence.
"Yesterday's announcement that some people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on his favor) agree with him changes nothing."
With UEFA refusing to soften its stance despite FIFA's apology and withdrawal of the proposal, the rift between European football's governing body and FIFA remains unresolved. The continuing standoff has added fresh uncertainty over football's global governance, with trust between the two organisations appearing as fractured as ever.
