UEFA has confirmed it will continue to boycott FIFA competitions despite Gianni Infantino withdrawing plans to sell a stake in future tournaments. The European governing body says it has lost confidence in the FIFA president and that the conditions for participation have not been met.
Conditions unmet
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 First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn, and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.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."
The statement added: "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."
FIFA's response
UEFA's response follows Infantino receiving the backing of FIFA's leaders after calls for his resignation. 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 also noted 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."
