UEFA could be compelled to follow through on their threat to boycott FIFA tournaments in under a month, after Gianni Infantino flatly refused to bow to the mounting calls for his resignation.
Rather than step down, Infantino has moved to cement his position as FIFA president. Following seven hours of crisis talks in Morocco on Wednesday, FIFA released a statement declaring that Infantino had their "full support" after his botched attempt to invite private investment into tournaments.
FIFA have chosen to circle the wagons and go on the offensive, announcing they will "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation," via The Mirror.
The battle lines have been firmly drawn, with UEFA spearheading the backlash against Infantino. The English Football Association has followed Wales' lead by formally withdrawing their backing of the Swiss official, but with the pressure yet to take effect, UEFA and their allies may be forced to make good on their threat.
In a statement on Thursday, UEFA declared that FIFA's response following their meeting "changes nothing" and that their boycott threat remains firmly in place. This puts FIFA on notice ahead of their next international tournament, the Under-20 Women's World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Poland, kicking off on September 5.
Next comes the Under-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco in October, followed by the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar in November and December. Next summer brings a far bigger prize: the Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Should it come to that, boycotting the tournament would send a powerful message — and it is a sacrifice England star Lucy Bronze is prepared to make.
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FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup (Poland) - September 2026
FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup (Morocco) - October 2026
FIFA Under-17 World Cup (Qatar) -November/December 2026
FIFA Women's Champions Cup (Miami) -January 2027
FIFA Women's World Cup (Brazil) - June/July 2027
"The message that we stand by ... is 'for the good of the game'. The players who play in those competitions, the European players, we stand by our beliefs and what the right thing is for our game," Bronze said ahead of a Chelsea preseason friendly in New Zealand.
"If that means boycotting competitions, then that has to happen. It's for the future of the game and not just for me today and tomorrow, it's for all the little girls or little boys who come after us to make sure that they're in a good place, when the game is moving forward in decades to come, not just tomorrow."
With Infantino unwilling to step down, UEFA may be forced to back a rival candidate in the upcoming FIFA presidential election. Infantino has held the position for 10 years and had been set to run unopposed for a fourth term next year, but the events of the past week have altered everything.
A UEFA statement released on Thursday afternoon read: "UEFA's associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions.
"First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn, and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.
"These conditions have not been met. In addition, UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds.
"Yesterday's (Wednesday) announcement that some people employed by the FIFA President (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing."
Source: Alloutsoccer.com
