UEFA member associations have unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup if FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell shares in its competitions proceeds, according to reports.
The decision came after an emergency meeting held by UEFA in response to proposals that would see FIFA sell equity in the World Cup and Women's World Cup. The latter is scheduled for Brazil next year.
FIFA's controversial plan
The plans sparked widespread criticism from organisations and individuals within football. UEFA had already issued two statements condemning the proposals. Reports indicated that FIFA had written to its 211 member associations, offering $40m (£30m) each if they backed the scheme.
UEFA held a meeting between its member associations on Thursday, with rumours circulating that they could consider a boycott. The Times reported that England and other UEFA nations voted unanimously to stay away from the next World Cup if Infantino's plan goes ahead.
Infantino's defence
In a video released on Wednesday, Infantino said: "FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, is actually a proposal, an offer. It's part of a democratic process – a consultation process – and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation. It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation."
He added: "Capturing that value requires additional expertise, additional insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport. It would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions along with sponsorship, broadcast, licensing and new ventures for the benefit of FIFA's 211 member associations."
