UEFA rejects FIFA proposal

TALLINN – UEFA issued a statement on Thursday, unequivocally rejecting FIFA's proposal that would allow private investors to own stakes in the World Cup and other competitions held under FIFA's auspices.

The President of the Estonian Football Association, Aivar Pohlak, and Secretary General Mihkel Uiboleht participated in an extraordinary UEFA online meeting on Thursday afternoon, where the organization formed a common position on FIFA's plans. As a result of the meeting, UEFA published an official statement on behalf of itself and its member states.

"For the European associations, FIFA's plan has three main points of concern. First, governance – decision-making in football can only be in the hands of football people. Second, the process – no associations, confederations, or other stakeholders were involved in developing the plan. Third, money – to provide additional support to members, there is no need to involve private investors, which would open the door for money to flow out of football; FIFA has already earned this money by organizing various competitions and will continue to do so in the future. At today's meeting, we fully supported what was outlined in UEFA's joint statement," said Aivar Pohlak, President of the Estonian Football Association, after the meeting.

The statement in full

UEFA and its 55 member associations stand united. We unanimously and unequivocally reject the FIFA proposal to transfer ownership stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.

The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football's greatest legacies, built up over generations. It has been contributed to jointly by players, national teams, and supporters from all corners of the world. No part of it should ever be relinquished to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

It is irresponsible and unjustifiable that a proposal with such significant implications for world football was developed in secret and brought almost to the point of approval without meaningful consultation with those whose job it is to govern the game and protect its interests. This is not merely a serious failure of governance, but an abandonment of FIFA's duty as the custodian of world football.

National associations across the world have now been presented with an ultimatum: either accept the irreversible transfer of football's most important competitions to the control of private interests or deal with the consequences of refusal. This is not a 'democratic decision' but governance by intimidation – a pressure tactic that should not be employed by an organization entrusted with leading world football.

But our opposition extends far beyond the process.

The moment private investors acquire a stake in FIFA competitions, football will change forever. Commercial return will become a permanent obligation. Investor expectations will become daily pressure. From that point on, no decision regarding the international match calendar, competition formats, or the shaping of football's future would be based on what is best for the game, but on what best serves the interests of shareholders.

Such a model has no place in world football. The future of football cannot be shaped by those whose primary duty is to maximize financial returns. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and supporters take a back seat to investors' profit expectations. Football cannot pawn its future for financial gain.

Europe's position is clear. We will never lend our support to this model. No one has the moral right to sell something that has been held in trust for future generations.

As a result of today's discussion, no national team from a UEFA member state will participate in any FIFA competition as long as these proposals are on the table, unless the proposal is completely abandoned and binding guarantees are given that FIFA will never again open its governance structures or competitions to private ownership.

Let no one be in any doubt: UEFA and its member associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.

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

Some things are just too important to be sold. The World Cup belongs to football. It has always been that way, and it will always be that way. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.