Scottish football stands behind UEFA decision to boycott World Cup over Gianni Infantino FIFA plans

In a strongly-worded statement after all 55 member European nations convened virtually at short notice to discuss current FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in a private company which would oversee all commercial and operational aspects of FIFA’s competitions, UEFA confirmed its nations would be a boycott of the next World Cup for so long as the proposals remain alive.

Infantino’s proposals for FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which came to light on Tuesday afternoon and were not widely circulated among federations across the globe, have been met with widespread opposition.

Associations have been given until September 19 to indicate whether they support the FFE proposal and access up to $20 million (£15m) each in development funding from January 1. FIFA says that if approved, the plans will allow it to distribute a total of $10 billion (£7.5bn) in development funding in the three-year cycle between 2027 and 2030.

FIFA insists FFE would oversee the sale of commercial rights in, and operational delivery of, its tournaments, but that investors would have no say in determining matters such as the size and frequency of its big competitions, such as the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup.

However, there are major concerns that investors’ natural desire to maximise returns – and the need to fulfil promised increases in funding to national associations – will mean the inevitable growth of competitions, impacting the existing domestic and international football calendars.

And after UEFA’s summit meeting, which was by SFA president Mike Mulraney and chief executive Ian Maxwell, UEFA released a statement confirming that the organisation and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions for so long as the FFE plan remained in play.

UEFA’s full statement on FIFA plans

It read: “UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.

“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

“It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.

“National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a “democratic decision”, but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game.

“But our opposition goes far beyond process.

“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.

“This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.

“Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.

“As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.

“Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.

“There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.

“Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”

On the back of the UEFA communication, the SFA backed up UEFA’s stance and urged for the “beautiful game to be protected”.

The SFA statement read: “The President and Chief Executive of the Scottish FA today attended a remote meeting of UEFA nations to discuss the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise.

“The Scottish FA Board agrees unequivocally with the concerns raised by all members over the manner in which these proposals have been issued, and deadline set, without a full consultation process or consideration to good governance.

“The Board is fully supportive of the statement issued by UEFA following the meeting.

“We are also aligned with our fellow national associations who seek to ensure our collective voice is heard resoundingly, and that the Corinthian spirit which underpins the beautiful game - invented here in Scotland and shared with the world - is protected.”

The next World Cup is due to be held across Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 2030, with centenary celebration matches also due to be played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.