55-nation UEFA votes to boycott World Cup as FIFA seeks private investment

UEFA, the football federation governing 55 clubs from Europe into Central Asia, announced Thursday it voted to boycott future World Cups if FIFA’s plan to sell the tournament to private equity comes to fruition.

“UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors,” the federation said in a statement. “The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.”

FIFA, the international soccer governing body, shocked the........

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