As long as Infantino’s plans remain, UEFA will boycott the World Cup.Now a power struggle over football awaits.
– Football as we know it risks breaking up, says Fotbollskanalen columnist Olof Lundh.
After Thursday’s emergency meeting, UEFA announced that all 55 member countries support a boycott of the World Cup if FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s visions were fulfilled.
The announcement came after a period of speculation about the European Football Association’s stance on the matter.
“It was the only reasonable thing to land in. A selection and a threat of not being in the World Cup undermines Infantino’s plans. It will be more difficult to sell rights if Europe is not in,” said columnist Olof Lundh.
The protest is against Infantino’s proposal to sell shares of the World Cup to private investors. According to Lundh, the announcement is expected but potentially costly.
“It’s a conflict that has existed for a long time. But what will the World Cup be like if Europe isn’t involved?”
At the same time, it is not obvious that people are as critical in other parts of the world. UEFA are defined by a Northern European perspective on democracy and openness, said Lundh.
“Around the world, people look at it differently. Some say it’s great that Infantino brings in big money, because then the countries think they can make money from it themselves.”
Simon Åström, chairman of the Swedish Football Association, has previously made it clear that he supports UEFA’s position. He has not been as critical as his Norwegian counterpart Lise Klaveness, explained Olof Lundh.
“Sweden are one of the few countries that have not sent a letter to Infantino and expressed support for the next congress when he is up for re-election. They are distinguished internationally, but some may think they should be even more forceful.”
What awaits next is unclear.
Lundh predicted a “chicken race” between Infantino and UEFA, with neither side willing to give in.
According to Sky News, several European football bosses are planning to launch their own version of the World Cup in response to Infantino’s proposal.
“There are a lot of questions and we are in a delicate, sensitive situation. It will be a brutal power struggle where football as we know it risks breaking apart,” he concluded.
