UEFA has released a lengthy statement confirming the decision to abandon a boycott of FIFA tournaments, but reaffirming its desire to oust Gianni Infantino from his position as FIFA president.
UEFA and its 55 delegations met in Monaco on Thursday ahead of the Champions League draw. They agreed that, while a boycott of FIFA tournaments is no longer necessary, the removal of Infantino remains paramount.
Legal proceedings and financial pressure
The news comes on the same day UEFA considered launching criminal proceedings against Infantino. European football's governing body is subpoenaing FIFA and the financial institutions involved in the failed plot to sell shares in tournaments, in an attempt to obtain documents ahead of possible legal action in Switzerland.
UEFA has now decided to seek a "responsible release of part of FIFA’s reserves" in an effort to increase pressure on Infantino, who remains determined to seek re-election next year.
UEFA's statement on governance reform
UEFA's statement read: "The meeting reviewed the fallout from the FIFA President’s aborted attempt to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup to outside investors – a scheme which exposed a profound failure of judgement, an abuse of presidential power and a conception of leadership incompatible with the duties of the highest office in world football."
"Those present unanimously mandated the UEFA President and Administration to pursue every available institutional, political and legal avenue necessary to secure fundamental reform, restore proper limits on presidential authority and ensure that FIFA is once again governed as an institution – not around one individual."
"The first step must be a genuinely independent external review of FIFA Forward Enterprise, with full access to all relevant documents, communications and decision-making records. FIFA cannot investigate itself and expect the football community simply to accept its conclusions."
Reserves and tournament boycott suspended
"But the consequences of this crisis go beyond governance. The trust required to exercise the office of FIFA President has been broken and cannot be restored by withdrawing one proposal, issuing assurances or promising reform after the event. World football now needs new leadership capable of rebuilding that trust."
"UEFA will therefore continue working with Confederations, Member Associations and the wider football community – including fans, players, clubs, leagues and others – to shape the future of FIFA. Should the current FIFA President nevertheless seek another mandate, UEFA will join forces with its partner confederations to ensure that Member Associations are offered a credible alternative – one committed to integrity, accountability, development and genuine institutional change."
"FIFA has currently billions of dollars in reserves. This money belongs to the Member Associations. Together with other Confederations, UEFA will jointly explore a responsible release of part of FIFA’s reserves for the benefit of the Member Associations – while at the same time ensuring that any proposal preserves FIFA’s financial stability. The question is therefore why the FIFA President believed he needed outside investors to expand development funding."
The delegates were also informed that FIFA has now confirmed in writing to UEFA that the FIFA Forward Enterprise project has been "irrevocably and permanently withdrawn" and that it "will not re-appear in any other shape, construction, name or form".
"Having now secured the two assurances it required from FIFA on 30 July, and following consultation with its National Associations, UEFA has therefore agreed to suspend, on a provisional basis, the withdrawal by European teams from FIFA competitions in the coming season, including the Women’s U20 World Cup, U17 World Cup and the Women’s U17 World Cup. This position will remain under constant review and may be reconsidered immediately if circumstances so require."
"While the immediate question of participation has now been resolved, the underlying crisis has not. The abandonment of FFE does not erase the deception, intimidation and abuse of power that made it possible. Nor does it restore the confidence that has been lost."
"This is not a choice between good governance and football development. Nor is this about Europe seeking greater power within FIFA. It is simply about ensuring that no part of world football – large or small, those with more and those with less – is dependent on the power of one individual."
"FIFA has a fundamental responsibility to support every Member Association and this responsibility must be strengthened, not weakened. But development is an institutional obligation – not a presidential favour – and no Member Association should ever have to choose between the resources to which it is entitled and the freedom to exercise its own judgement."
"UEFA’s position remains unequivocal: whether it is the World Cup or an Under-15 tournament, FIFA’s competitions are not for sale. Neither is the governance of our game. FIFA’s development resources must likewise never become instruments of personal or political influence. They belong to world football and must be protected by transparent, objective rules."
"FIFA must once again be governed as an institution serving football – not operate as an instrument of individual power."
