UEFA maintains boycott threat as African confederation backs Infantino

PARIS, France (AFP) — Pressure built on FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday over his cancelled plan to bring private finance into football’s World Cup, with European governing body UEFA reiterating a threat to boycott tournaments. The 56-year-old Swiss official has also been criticised by South American body CONMEBOL. But he did get backing from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Infantino received the “full support” of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday but UEFA released a blunt statement in response. UEFA’s initial threat issued last Thursday to boycott FIFA competitions is said to have been pivotal in forcing Infantino to shelve the private investment deal. Calls for him to step down had grown since he abandoned it last Saturday.

FIFA said it could raise up to US$4.2 billion based on a valuation of US$20 billion for a new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which it proposed would run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. Although the abandonment of the proposal was one of UEFA’s conditions for it to withdraw its threat, it said that not all of its demands had been met. “UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to their non participation in FIFA competitions,” its statement read.

“First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.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.” While UEFA welcomed the withdrawal of the plan last Saturday, it had slammed Infantino and his “shabby, backroom, opaque deal”. Its tone had not changed on Thursday.

“UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. Several UEFA member associations have withdrawn support for Infantino’s bid to be re-elected to a fourth and final term in Rabat next March. FIFA President Gianni Infantino (centre) leaves Al-Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, after the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match between Malawi and Zambia on Wednesday.

(Photo: AFP) A prominent critic, Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness, is likely to pour more fuel on the fire when she holds a press conference on Friday. Infantino was also criticised by usually supporti…