A sharp dispute erupted between the bodies responsible for football worldwide, against the backdrop of plans by the International Football Federation "FIFA" to attract private investments in the World Cup tournament, amid an angry reaction from the European Football Association "UEFA", with the crisis reaching the point of threatening to boycott the World Cup.
"FIFA" had announced a plan to launch a new entity, aimed at integrating the sale of its commercial rights, which include broadcasting, sponsorship, tickets, and licensing, with the operational management of organizing its tournaments.
Under the proposed plan, the international federation seeks to raise up to $4.2 billion from external investors, by selling non-controlling minority stakes in the new entity, which is estimated to be worth around $20 billion.
"FIFA" asserts that the project, which requires approval from member federations, could provide more than $10 billion to fund football development over the next four years.
However, the proposal provoked the anger of the European Football Association, which issued a strongly worded statement, considering "FIFA's" plans to have "crossed the red line", amid concerns over the impact of investors' entry on the future of the game and its management.
According to the Sky Sports network, European federations are expected to hold an emergency online meeting during the current week to discuss developments, with readiness to use the World Cup boycott card if Gianni Infantino, president of the international federation, decides to proceed with implementing his plan.
These developments open the door to an unprecedented crisis between "FIFA" and "UEFA", amid the possibility of a collective stance from a number of European countries, which could reach the threat of non-participation in the World Cup, if the international federation continues with its plan to attract private investments.
It is noted that Andy Burnham, the British Prime Minister, announced his opposition to this step, via his account on the "X" platform.
