The governing body’s plan to launch a $20-billion subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, has triggered a wave of defiance across Europe. UEFA’s 55 member associations voted to boycott all FIFA tournaments in response to the move, which critics denounce as an undemocratic shift toward commercial interests. Klaveness noted that the proposal surfaced without prior consultation, catching national federations off guard and sparking immediate friction.
During the meetings, delegates reportedly used the term “blackmail” to describe the sudden pressure to accept the restructuring. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin earned praise for his firm stance, emphasizing that football should remain under the control of its members. For Klaveness, the incident marks a significant turning point in the relationship between national associations and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. She suggested that Infantino has squandered vital trust by bypassing governance norms, noting that while FIFA possesses strengths, its casual approach to internal rules has alienated its core stakeholders.
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