UEFA is expected to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that plans to give private investors stakes in World Cup-related assets will not be repeated, according to reports.
The issue is expected to be discussed by UEFA’s executive committee at a meeting in Monaco on Thursday.
European football’s governing body had earlier warned that it could boycott FIFA competitions unless it received firm guarantees following FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal involving Fifa Forward Enterprises (FFE).
Although the proposal was subsequently withdrawn following widespread criticism, UEFA said earlier this month that the conditions for avoiding a boycott had not yet been fully met.
UEFA had demanded assurances that similar attempts to involve private ownership in FIFA’s governance or competitions would not happen again.
Infantino later informed FIFA’s member associations that the FFE proposal had been taken off the table and apologised for what he described as “errors.”
If UEFA formally drops the boycott threat, the decision would clear the way for next month’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to proceed as scheduled.
Six European teams — England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland — are expected to participate in the tournament.
Despite the likely withdrawal of the boycott threat, UEFA is expected to maintain pressure for changes at the top of FIFA.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has previously indicated that he expects Infantino to resign or face a challenger in FIFA’s presidential election scheduled for March.
A source close to the discussions said the decision should not be interpreted as a retreat by UEFA, arguing that the priority was to avoid punishing young players over a dispute involving football’s leadership.
The source added that UEFA’s push for “wholesale changes” at FIFA would continue.
Last month, all 55 UEFA member associations backed a boycott of FIFA competitions until the Fifa Forward Enterprises proposal was completely withdrawn and legally binding assurances were provided that FIFA would not again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.
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FIFA and UEFA have been approached for comment.
The dispute has also exposed divisions among former football stars over the future of FIFA’s leadership.
A group of former players recently issued a statement declaring that “change is necessary” at the organisation.
Former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre, a member of FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel, published a statement on social media under the headline “Enough is Enough!”
The statement was subsequently shared by several prominent former and current players, including England defender Lucy Bronze and France’s 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit.
However, another group of former football stars has expressed support for Infantino.
Brazil World Cup-winning captain Cafu, former Italy striker Christian Vieri, ex-Portugal captain Pepe and former Argentina international Esteban Cambiasso were among those who posted messages backing the FIFA president.
The players are recognised as FIFA Legends.Vieri praised what he described as FIFA’s efforts over the past decade to improve representation for players and expand football’s reach across the world.
The contrasting positions underline the growing debate over Infantino’s leadership as UEFA continues to push for changes within FIFA.
