UEFA Boycotts FIFA Over Failed Commercial Venture Plan

The European soccer body, representing 55 nations, first announced the boycott last week after FIFA unveiled the proposal, which would have created a separate venture to handle commercial operations and sold part of it to financial firms. Infantino abandoned the plan after global backlash, including a senior adviser's resignation and a senior executive's blistering statement to the Associated Press. UEFA demanded guarantees that FIFA would never again attempt such commercialization, saying those conditions were not met.

FIFPRO, the players' union, also condemned FIFA and called for governance reforms and Infantino's ouster. Infantino, who plans to run for another term in March elections, has no challengers so far. UEFA dismissed FIFA's Wednesday statement about mending fences after Infantino apologized in an emergency meeting in Morocco, noting that employees whose careers depend on him agreeing changes nothing. The English Football Association also continues to call for his resignation, while CONMEBOL has not expressed support.