[ Web Proxy ]
URL:
Viewing: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/world-cup-fifa-gianni-infantino-37489744 [Back]  [Original]

Huge FIFA row erupts overnight as World Cup boycott looms and Gianni Infantino summoned - The Mirror


Skip to main content
The Mirror: The Heart of Britain
Check out our editions:

Need to know

Huge FIFA row erupts as World Cup boycott looms and Gianni Infantino summoned

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been called to appear before the US House Judiciary Committee as a World Cup boycott looms weeks after this summer's tournament

FIFA confirmed that the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner would lead the proposed investor group(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)

Everything you need to know about the huge FIFA row that erupted overnight as a World Cup boycott looms...

  • Emergency talks over a potential World Cup boycott are set to be held this week after FIFA's controversial plans to create a private company sparked fury across European football.
  • UEFA has declared the World Cup is "not an asset to trade" after FIFA confirmed proposals to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The new company would oversee commercial rights and operational delivery of FIFA competitions.
  • The row has intensified tensions between the governing bodies, with sources believing European associations will discuss co-ordinated responses, including boycotting future World Cups. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has also been called to appear before the US House Judiciary Committee.
  • Controversy deepened after FIFA revealed Thrive Eternal, launched by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, would lead the proposed investor group. Critics fear private investment could pressure FIFA to expand competitions or hold World Cups more frequently.
  • UEFA issued a strongly-worded response, stating: "The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell."
  • The Football Association have also shared their deep concerns, saying: "Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved."
  • Gary Neville told Sky Sports on Wednesday morning: "It's of many actions that we've seen from large organisations in the last five to ten years; it's not surprising anymore." He added: "It falls well short of the standards that football fans would expect, and anybody would want for the game."
  • FIFA insists the company would remain under its control and generate significantly more money for football development worldwide. The organisation claims total development spending would exceed 7.5bn over four years if plans receive approval.
  • FFE has an implied valuation of around 15bn, with most value linked to the men's World Cup. Relations between FIFA and UEFA have deteriorated sharply, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin boycotting this month's World Cup final in protest.
  • READ THE FULL STORY: FIFA revolt emerges overnight as emergency declared and Gianni Infantino investigated
Follow mirror:





2026 a Reach plc subsidiary
reach logo [reach logo]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.

Accept
Web Proxy Viewer  |  New URL  |  Original Page