Key facts
- UEFA members unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
- The boycott protests FIFA's plan to sell stakes in a new commercial vehicle to private investors.
- European Parliament members are calling for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to appear before them.
- MEPs are concerned about the lack of consultation and the potential sale of FIFA's World Cup stakes.
- FIFA plans to proceed with a consultation process for its private investment proposal.
UEFA members have unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, in protest against FIFA's plan to sell stakes in a new commercial vehicle to private investors. FIFA stated it will proceed with its consultation process. The European Parliament is now set to call FIFA President Gianni Infantino for a hearing over the controversial plan. A draft letter obtained by Euronews and circulating among MEPs from all political groups invites Infantino to answer lawmakers' questions directly, citing concerns about transparency and democratic accountability. The plan involves setting up a new company to run FIFA's competitions and selling stakes of up to 20 percent to external investors, including Joshua Kushner. MEPs are concerned about the lack of consultation and the timing of the announcement ahead of FIFA's 2027 presidential election, with Infantino having already declared his intention to stand for re-election. They expressed grave concerns about FIFA's leadership, governance, and direction, stating it is a 'betrayal of your duty to football stakeholders'.