UEFA emergency talks set over FIFA investment plans as boycott fears emerge

The discussions come after football's global governing body unveiled proposals to establish a new commercial company that would oversee its biggest tournaments, including the World Cup, with external investors able to purchase stakes in the venture.

FIFA insists the model would generate additional revenue for the game, allowing greater financial support for national associations worldwide.

It also plans to raise global development funding to 10 billion dollars and make up to 20 million USD in one-off capital available to each of its 211 member associations.

UEFA, however, has fiercely opposed the idea, arguing it hands excessive influence over the sport's premier events to private investors.

European football's governing body condemned the proposals after reports in the Financial Times and The Times, declaring FIFA had "crossed a line", with the governing body releasing its formal plans shortly afterwards. The Football Association also said it had not been consulted.

With resistance growing, the possibility of a boycott is expected to feature in the discussions. Although UEFA represents only 55 of FIFA's 211 members, it believes the value of FIFA competitions would be severely diminished without Europe's participation.

Spain lifted this summer's World Cup, while European nations accounted for six of the eight quarter-finalists, continuing their dominance after supplying five quarter-finalists in 2022 and six in 2018.

The latest row deepens a relationship already strained by UEFA's opposition to Arsene Wenger's biennial World Cup proposal and president Aleksander Ceferin's boycott of this month's World Cup final over several controversial FIFA decisions, including the suspension of Folarin Balogun's one-match ban. 

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