UEFA to boycott World Cup if FIFA continues with plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors

UEFA's 55 member associations have voted to boycott the World Cup if FIFA continues with a plan to sell stakes in future competitions to private investors, the governing body of European football said Thursday.

The decision by UEFA was made at an emergency meeting on Thursday.

UEFA made its opposition very clear in a statement, stating "the World Cup is not for sale."

"As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership," the statement says.

The boycott would cover all FIFA competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Club.

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In a statement this week announcing its plan, FIFA said investors would be selected against "clear long-term, governance, and strategic criteria" and they would "represent a geographically diversified group that reflects the global nature of the game."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.