UEFA says FIFA boycott remains despite Infantino World Cup selloff U-turn

UEFA has issued a statement saying its 55 member associations remained committed to their plan to boycott the World ‌Cup, stressing that FIFA had failed to meet their key conditions for a return.

European football’s governing body voted unanimously last Thursday to withdraw from all FIFA events following the announcement by Gianni Infantino that the global body would seek to sell minority stakes in World Cups and other events.

Infantino has since withdrawn the proposal and, under mounting pressure from across the sport, received the backing of the global body’s leadership at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.

UEFA, however, have issued their response to say that they stand down on Infantino’s selloff plan was not their only requirement for renewed collaboration with FIFA.

“UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to their non participation in FIFA competitions,” the UEFA 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“First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.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. In addition, UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. That position holds.

“(Wednesday’s) announcement that some people employed by the FIFA President – and whose careers depend on his favour – agree with him changes nothing.”