'World football split in two': FIFA bows its head vs. sharp UEFA... "World Cup boycott remains valid" despite Infantino's apology

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) withdrawing its plan to sell World Cup shares and an apology from FIFA President Gianni Infantino (56), UEFA has maintained its stance on boycotting major tournaments.

According to international media reports, including the UK's BBC on the 7th, UEFA stated, "We require assurance that the plan to sell tournament shares has been withdrawn and that no similar attempts will be made in the future." It further added, "We have already lost trust in In Pan-ti-no (Chairman)'s leadership, and our position remains valid."

This conflict originated from In Pan-ti-no (Chairman)'s plan to establish a new corporation, 'FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE),' aiming to sell shares of major tournaments such as the men's and women's World Cups to private investors. The plan sought to raise approximately $4.2 billion (about 580 billion won) and distribute $40 million (about 5.8 trillion won) to national associations in each country. Following backlash from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF, on the 30th last month, all 55 UEFA member nations unanimously voted for an unprecedented boycott of the World Cup, ultimately leading to the plan's cancellation.

As the fallout grew, FIFA held an emergency leadership meeting in Morocco on the 6th. At this meeting, FIFA acknowledged procedural 'mistakes' in the FFE promotion process and bowed its head to member nations that felt marginalized. However, it reaffirmed its full support for In Pan-ti-no (Chairman), stating that "trust in the organization will be restored."

However, UEFA dismissed FIFA's explanation, saying, "Statements of support from certain individuals whose livelihoods depend on In Pan-ti-no (Chairman)'s favor change nothing." If European nations, which hold six of the top ten positions in the men's and women's world rankings and boast immense commercial revenue potential, refuse to participate in the World Cup, FIFA would suffer a fatal blow to its profitability.

Meanwhile, while Europe has declared a vote of no confidence in In Pan-ti-no (Chairman), football confederations on other continents are taking opposing stances. The 54-member Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), along with the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) — co-host of the World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean — and the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the reigning World Cup champions, have publicly voiced their support for In Pan-ti-no (Chairman)'s leadership.

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*This content was translated by AI.