UEFA Threatens FIFA Boycott Over Infantino Deal

UEFA said on Thursday that it and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions if Gianni Infantino’s proposed funding deal is accepted, according to BBC Sport.

The statement said: "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in Fifa competitions." The threat targets Infantino’s plan to sell a 20% stake in a subsidiary company set up to run FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

The proposed company would be run by FIFA but partly funded by private investors, including Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Countries have until 19 September to accept the deal and would bank $20m.

A senior European football source told the BBC they were "not sure the detail was considered when deciding the overall policy" when asked about the U20 Women’s World Cup, which starts in Poland on 5 September and includes many European nations. Laura McAllister, UEFA vice-president and former Wales international, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Wales was due to be involved in Women’s World Cup play-offs in the autumn and said: "We've been pushed into this corner and that's FIFA's responsibility."

The dispute has created uncertainty over Infantino’s position before a March election in which he had been expected to stand unopposed for a fourth term. Former FA chairman David Bernstein told BBC: "On this occasion, Infantino's got to back down. This deal is not acceptable."