Svi članovi UEFA-e su za bojkot FIFA-inih natjecanja! Razlog je prodaja vlasničkih prava privatnim investitorima

The European football governing body, UEFA, has announced that all 55 of its member national associations have unanimously decided to boycott all tournaments under the jurisdiction of FIFA, including World Cups, unless FIFA halts its proposal to sell ownership stakes in major competitions to private investors. This decision comes after intense discussions among UEFA members, who expressed deep concern over FIFA's plans to introduce private equity into the management of international football events. According to UEFA’s official statement, the World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of the greatest legacies of world football, built through generations of players, national teams, and fans across every continent. No part of it should ever be handed over to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale. UEFA emphasized that the proposal was conceived in secrecy and brought close to adoption without meaningful consultation with those entrusted with managing the game. This, they argued, represents not just a failure of leadership but an abandonment of FIFA’s duty as guardian of world football. National associations around the world are now faced with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible transfer of control over the largest football competitions or bear the consequences. UEFA described this as not a democratic decision but a form of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with managing global football. Their opposition goes beyond the process itself. Once external investors gain ownership shares in FIFA tournaments, football will change forever. Financial returns will become a permanent obligation, investor expectations will turn into daily pressure, and decisions regarding the international calendar, competition formats, and the future of football will no longer be made in the best interest of the game but in the best interest of shareholders. Such a model has no place in world football, UEFA stated. The future of football cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose primary responsibility is to maximize financial profit. The interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans must not be subordinated to investor interests. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain. Europe’s position is clear. It will never give legitimacy to such a model. No one has the moral authority to sell something entrusted solely to safeguarding it for future generations. As a result of today’s discussion, none of UEFA’s national teams will participate in any FIFA tournament while these proposals remain active, unless the proposal is completely withdrawn and FIFA provides binding assurances that it will never again open up its governance or competitions to private ownership. There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are willing to accept but by what they refuse to compromise on. This is one such moment. Some things are simply too valuable to be sold. The World Cup belongs to football. It always has and it always will. As long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale, UEFA declared. The controversy began earlier this week when insider reports suggested that FIFA planned to sell between 20 and 30 percent of the stake in a new company that would take complete control of the World Cup. Those familiar with the situation called this move a “nuclear strike” on football. Preliminary agreements reportedly signed already carry an estimated value of around 17.5 billion euros. According to reports, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent letters to all 211 member associations, offering 40 million dollars (35 million euros) to those who support his controversial plan to sell shares in major tournaments. A deadline of September 19 was set for associations to accept his plans if they wanted access to an initial 20 million dollars (17 million euros). UEFA responded swiftly, sending a clear message: “This crosses the line that governing football institutions should never cross. None of us is the owner of football. The World Cup is simply not FIFA’s property to sell.” From the beginning, it was evident that UEFA was unhappy with FIFA’s plans, particularly the fact that FIFA did not mention this controversial strategy during meetings with football associations in New York ahead of the World Cup final. Such a decision could trigger a cold war between two of the biggest football organizations, which have been in poor relations for some time. The situation escalated further when Infantino decided to lift the suspension of American player Folarin Balogun following a call from US President Donald Trump. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin was not present at the final of this year’s World Cup, despite attending the opening ceremony earlier. Infantino’s election is scheduled for next year, and UEFA’s move could create a domino effect in which other associations around the world follow the European example. Regardless of what happens on that front, FIFA relies heavily on European teams for the success of the World Cup; Spain currently holds both men’s and women’s titles, giving them considerable power and making the threat of a boycott serious. In its official statement, UEFA reiterated that it and its 55 member associations stand united. They categorically reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership shares in the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments to private investors. The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of the greatest sporting legacies of football. Built over generations by players, national teams, and fans across every continent, no part of it should ever be handed over to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale. It is irresponsible and unjustified that such a significant proposal for football was devised in secret and brought close to approval without any meaningful consultations with those entrusted with managing the game. This is not merely a failure of leadership but an abandonment of FIFA’s duty as guardian of world football. National associations around the world are now given an ultimatum: accept the irreversible transfer of control over the largest football competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a “democratic decision,” but a form of intimidation unworthy of an institution entrusted with managing global football. Their opposition extends far beyond the process itself. At the moment when external investors gain ownership shares in FIFA tournaments, football will change forever. Commercial returns will become a permanent obligation. Investor expectations will turn into daily pressure. From that point onward, every decision regarding the international calendar, competition formats, and the shaping of football’s future will no longer be made in the best interest of the game but in the best interest of shareholders.