UEFA set to lift FIFA boycott threat after assurances

Uefa is expected to withdraw its threat to boycott Fifa competitions after receiving assurances that there will be no repeat of president Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

The issue will be discussed by Uefa’s executive committee in Monaco on Thursday, with the European governing body expected to end the boycott threat despite continuing its campaign for major changes within Fifa.

Uefa had warned earlier this month that its conditions for avoiding a boycott had not been met, even after Infantino abandoned the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprises deal following widespread criticism.

Infantino subsequently told Fifa’s member associations that the proposal was “now off the table” and apologised for what he described as “errors”.

Uefa had demanded firm guarantees that similar attempts to involve private ownership in Fifa’s assets, governance or competitions would never happen again.

If the boycott threat is lifted, next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland will go ahead as scheduled. England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland are among the European teams due to compete.

The dispute has intensified pressure on Infantino ahead of Fifa’s presidential election in March. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has previously said he expects Infantino either to resign or face a rival candidate.

A source close to the discussions said lifting the boycott would not represent a defeat for Uefa.

“This isn’t a climbdown,” the source said, adding that Infantino’s opponents would “continue until there are wholesale changes”.

The source also said Uefa’s decision would reflect the desire to avoid punishing young players who have a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to compete at a World Cup.

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European football’s 55 member associations voted last month to boycott all Fifa competitions until the Fifa Forward Enterprises proposal was completely abandoned and binding assurances were provided that Fifa would not open its governance or competitions to private ownership.

British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has previously opposed a boycott of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, arguing that sporting boycotts can unfairly punish athletes.

“I am not generally in favour of sporting boycotts full stop, because I think they divide people from one another,” Nandy said.

“What I would like to see actually is football coming together, resolving this, a change of leadership, a change of direction and a very clear message that football belongs to its fans.”

The dispute has also divided former players. A group including former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre has called for change at Fifa, with England defender Lucy Bronze, Emmanuel Petit and David James among those sharing the statement.

However, former Brazil captain Cafu, former Italy striker Christian Vieri, former Portugal captain Pepe and ex-Argentina international Esteban Cambiasso have publicly expressed support for Infantino.

Vieri said Infantino’s administration had helped create greater representation for players in football and praised the changes made during the president’s decade in charge.

The contrasting positions underline the growing divide within football over Infantino’s leadership as the 2027 Fifa presidential election approaches.