England and fellow UEFA nations set to unanimously BOYCOTT World Cup after FIFA’s plans to sell shares to private investors

England and other UEFA countries unanimously decided to boycott FIFA competitions over Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell his World Cup shares.

UEFA held near-crisis talks on Thursday after proposals for £3.1bn of private investment for FIFA tournaments, particularly the World Cup, were met with widespread opposition.

Member associations were described as “furious” to Daily Mail Sport and more than 40 associations gave evidence as UEFA co-ordinated its response to FIFA’s proposals.

Daily Mail Sport also understands there was ‘complete unanimity’ in the call, with associations furious that FIFA had left them in the dark when creating the plans.

‘This is at the nuclear button end of the spectrum, which is impressive,’ an international football expert told Daily Mail Sport.

In a statement signed by all 55 UEFA members, UEFA said: ‘UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions.

‘UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer property rights in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.

‘The World Cup cannot be considered an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built by players, national teams and fans on every continent for generations. No part of it should be handed over to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

‘It is both irresponsible and indefensible that such a significant proposal for football would be drafted in secret and brought to the brink of approval without meaningful consultation with those charged with managing the game. This is not only a profound failure of leadership, but also an abdication by FIFA of its duty as the guardian of world football.

‘National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible takeover of football’s biggest competitions or suffer the consequences. This is not a “democratic decision” but rule by intimidation; It is an act of oppression that does not suit an institution tasked with managing the global game.

‘But our opposition goes far beyond the process.

‘The moment external investors acquire ownership rights in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Business returns become a permanent necessity. Investor expectations are becoming a daily pressure. From then on, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves the shareholders.

‘This model has no place in world football. The future of football cannot be determined by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximize financial returns. The interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and fans cannot be subordinated to investors’ returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for the sake of financial gain.

‘Europe’s stance is clear. We will never give legitimacy to this model. No one has the moral authority to sell for posterity what he merely holds in trust.

The result of today’s debate is that as long as these proposals survive, no UEFA national team will participate in any FIFA competition unless this proposal is abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances are given that FIFA will never again open its administration or competitions to private ownership.

Make no mistake: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.

‘There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.

‘Some things are too important to be sold. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will be. And as long as it is the voice of Europe, it will never be for sale.’

An FA spokesman added: ‘We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view.

‘We oppose FIFA’s plans; The FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will.’

Gianni Infantino widely criticized for decision to ‘put the World Cup up for sale’

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham comes under pressure to take action

On Wednesday, UEFA had accused FIFA of trying to bribe associations into accepting bids, which could have enabled them to raise additional income of up to £15 million.

Dealing another blow to the plan, Asian Federation President Sheikh Salman wrote that he was “very concerned and disappointed” by FIFA’s decision to prepare the plans without consultation.

CONCACAF, which represents 41 countries in North and Central America and the Caribbean, is another federation that expressed early skepticism following the bomb plots.

Infantino now plans to force FIFA associations to decide on the proposal by September 19.

But following a crisis meeting on Thursday, the FA and other UEFA members confirmed they would boycott FIFA’s tournaments, including next summer’s Women’s World Cup, if the proposal is given the green light.

UEFA’s 55 member nations have met virtually and their decisions could nearly scupper FIFA’s plans due to the influence they wield in international football.

FIFA wants to set up a new company with Jared’s brother Joshua Kushner to raise £3.1bn of private investment for FIFA tournaments. Donald Trumpleader of the group of potential investors.