UEFA rejects Infantino apology, maintains threat to boycott FIFA competitions

UEFA rejected Gianni Infantino's apology and reiterated its threat to boycott FIFA competitions a day after a high-level FIFA summit in Morocco. The European governing body said FIFA had not addressed concerns over a proposed plan to sell stakes in the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments and that it continues to have no confidence in the FIFA president.

The dispute began after FIFA proposed creating a commercial entity that would permit outside investors to acquire stakes in its flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, a plan that drew widespread criticism and was later withdrawn. UEFA emerged as one of the proposal's strongest opponents. At the Morocco summit, Infantino apologised to member associations for the handling of the now-abandoned commercial proposal, and FIFA confirmed the plan had been withdrawn while reiterating its backing for Infantino.

In a statement, UEFA set out conditions linked to any decision not to participate in FIFA competitions. "UEFA's associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non participation in FIFA competitions." "First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again."

Following Wednesday's summit, FIFA apologised to its council and member associations for mistakes made during the process and promised to ensure that similar situations would not arise again. The governing body also confirmed that Infantino would remain in office, rejecting suggestions that he should step down. FIFA additionally attempted to present a united front by stating Infantino retained the full support of those present while acknowledging errors in the handling of the proposal.

UEFA said the issue now centred on leadership and governance and stated that "These conditions have not been met." "UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds."

UEFA dismissed FIFA's show of unity, arguing that endorsements from FIFA's own leadership did little to restore confidence and adding: "Yesterday's announcement that some people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on his favor) agree with him changes nothing." With UEFA refusing to soften its stance despite FIFA's apology and withdrawal of the proposal, the rift between European football's governing body and FIFA remains unresolved. The continuing standoff has added fresh uncertainty over football's global governance, with trust between the two organisations appearing as fractured as ever.