Kazakhstan joins the World Cup boycott

Photo © Tengrinews.kz / Alimzhan Amanzhol

Tengrinews.kz — The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced that all 55 members of the organization, including the Kazakhstan Football Federation, are refusing to participate in competitions held under the auspices of FIFA because of plans to commercialize the World Cup.

“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 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,” UEFA said in a statement.

As a reminder, Kazakhstan has been a member of UEFA since 2002 and was previously part of the Asian Football Confederation.

UEFA vs. FIFA: the essence of the conflict

According to media reports, FIFA intends to create a subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, which will manage the World Cup and the Club World Cup.

FIFA will still oversee the sporting aspects, but private investors will also be involved and may own up to 20 percent of the company.

It is believed that the deal could bring the organization more than $4 billion, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino could receive personal bonuses. After his presidential term at the helm of FIFA ends, he may become head of the new company.

UEFA and other continental football associations believe that FIFA is commercializing football in this way.

At the same time, the final decision will depend on a general vote, and UEFA, despite its enormous authority, will not have an advantage. FIFA includes 211 countries, while Asia and Africa together have more than 100 members.