The threat of a major split between European football and FIFA is close to ending, with UEFA expected to abandon its proposed boycott of FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that a controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other major tournaments will not be revived.
The decision is expected to be confirmed at a UEFA executive committee meeting in Monaco, with European football’s governing body satisfied that FIFA has met the conditions it set for withdrawing the boycott threat.
The dispute erupted after details emerged of FIFA Forward Enterprises, a proposal that would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in major FIFA competitions.
UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously backed the boycott threat after learning of the proposal, putting European participation in FIFA competitions at risk.
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According to BBC Sport, UEFA demanded on Wednesday that the plan be withdrawn and that FIFA provide guarantees that similar proposals would not be pursued again.
FIFA subsequently abandoned the proposal following widespread opposition, while UEFA has now received assurances that there will be no repeat.
The development is expected to clear the way for European teams to participate in next month’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, which begins on 5 September.
England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland are among the European nations scheduled to compete at the tournament.
The expected withdrawal of the boycott threat would bring an immediate end to the possibility of a major confrontation between UEFA and FIFA, but it is unlikely to resolve the wider tensions surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
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UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has continued to criticise Infantino, while European football officials remain committed to pushing for broader governance reforms within world football.
That means UEFA’s decision is more of a tactical retreat from the immediate confrontation than a sign that relations between the two governing bodies have been fully repaired.
European football is therefore expected to return to FIFA competitions while continuing its campaign for changes to the way world football is governed.
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