UEFA and 55 Associations Reject FIFA's Private Investment Plan
UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions
We stand united in rejecting FIFA's proposal to transfer World Cup ownership to private investors. We believe the tournament is a sporting legacy, not an investment product. Consequently, UEFA national teams will not participate in any FIFA competitions unless these plans are abandoned entirely and binding assurances against private ownership are secured.
There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise.
- brunoborges
Infantino clearly wants to see FIFA making billions so he and many others can pocket millions legally. But the only way for this to happen in a non-corrupt way, given that FIFA is non-profit and therefore requires a lot of questionable operations, is to turn FIFA into a business like NFL / MLS.
The problem with that is that it then it is no longer a sport, rather a... business.
UEFA letter is spot on.
- NKosmatos
“Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return.”
Very well said…replace the word football with internet/technology/web/research/university or so many others and you might understand why this single powerful phrase is so important.
- Kuyawa
First off, fire Infantino on the spot, just the same way they fired Blatter for corruption.
This last world cup was the worse I've ever seen since 1978, almost 50 years, and I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly. We all know billions are moved under the table, but money can never break rules and traditions, specially if they don't benefit fans and players above all
Did anybody ask the players about the hydration break? About increasing teams to 48, now to 64? More games is more possibility of injuries and benched players are no good for the show. So always be careful about wanting more golden eggs, the goose may be exhausted already
- triceratops
This is so highly unusual even sports-allergic HN wants to discuss it. It's like a religious schism in some sense.
- PaulRobinson
The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.
These words apply to any investment. It's worth considering as part of any business, including many of the businesses we're here to watch grow - the moment you have others involved as equity partners, the entire culture has to change. Do it consciously, or not at all.
- xorcist
Why only now? UEFA should boycott the world cup, period. It should have been enough even before the Balogun nonsense. They have the best league and the best teams, they have the know how and could easily host the UEFA World Cup.
They could host a tournament without the pay-to-win arbitrary overruling of red cards and the clownish half time entertainment. Nobody would care about the FIFA World Cup.
Fork it!
- shmuli9
About time
Hard to think of a modern institution as corrupt as fifa. That may not bother too many people because it’s not their government, but I just think it stinks
- nkg
I'm so happy to see they care enough to take a stand.
The last World Cup was a sh-t show. I expect the LA olympics to be no better.
- paulbjensen
It's only a matter of time before there are sponsors on the Yellow and Red cards...
- sizzzzlerz
Somewhere in this fetid swamp of corruption, you just know the trump crime syndicate has its greasy hands on the pie.