UEFA Set to End FIFA Tournament Boycott Threat

ISLAMABAD: (Sports Reporter) – UEFA is expected to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that controversial plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other major tournaments will not be revived, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The development comes as Italy became the latest national football federation to withdraw its backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election.

European Leagues President Claudius Schaefer also told The Athletic that he did not see a future for Infantino at FIFA and argued that the organisation required significant reform.

The dispute stems from FIFA’s decision in July to abandon a proposal that had triggered strong opposition from UEFA’s 55 member associations. European federations had agreed to consider boycotting FIFA competitions after details of the plan emerged last month.

A FIFA spokesperson told Reuters that all qualified teams would take part in next month’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, meaning the tournament is not expected to be affected by the dispute.

FIFA said it welcomed the participation of all qualified teams and players, while reiterating its commitment to developing football globally through its competitions, the FIFA Forward programme and other initiatives.

UEFA officials are expected to inform the organisation’s executive committee and the presidents of most member associations at a meeting in Monaco on Thursday that the conditions required to end the boycott threat have been fulfilled, the sources said.

UEFA has been seeking two key assurances from FIFA: the formal withdrawal of the disputed proposal and a commitment that similar plans to commercialise stakes in major competitions will not be brought back.

A source familiar with the discussions said ending the boycott should not be viewed as a defeat for UEFA, stressing that the priority was to avoid depriving young players of a potentially once-in-a-lifetime international opportunity.

The source added that UEFA’s push for changes within FIFA would continue despite the decision to step back from the boycott threat.

Italy Withdraws Support for Infantino

Pressure on Infantino increased further after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) withdrew its backing for his candidacy in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March next year.

The FIGC said its decision was intended to clearly communicate its position on recent initiatives promoted by the FIFA president regarding the governance and development of international competitions.

Italy also said its stance was aligned with UEFA and its president Aleksander Čeferin.

Infantino is facing growing opposition within international football, with three confederations reportedly pressing for his departure. They include UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF, which oversees football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Regional football bodies have also discussed the possibility of a vote of no confidence against Infantino, who is expected to seek a fourth term as FIFA president next year.

With Italy now distancing itself from his candidacy and opposition growing among several football governing bodies, Infantino could face a significantly more challenging re-election campaign.