TAKING A STAND! England and UEFA nations agree to BOYCOTT World Cup in protest over Gianni Infantino's controversial sale plan

UEFA have voted to boycott the World Cup and ALL FIFA COMPETITIONS after holding a meeting in response to plans that have emerged from FIFA president Gianni Infantino that would see private investment in the federation’s competitions.

Plans emerged that FIFA were looking to sell shares in its competitions, which would include the World Cup and Women’s World Cup, the latter of which will take place in Brazil next year.

The proposals have been criticised by leading organisations and individuals within the game, including UEFA, who had already issued two statements in response to the controversial plans. FIFA had written to their 211 member associations with the promise of $40m (£30m) if they were to show support for the scheme, something which UEFA have since criticised.

UEFA held a meeting between its member associations on Thursday amid rumours that they could consider boycotting the next World Cup in response to the controversial proposals.

Now UEFA's member associations, including England, have unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup and ALL FIFA competitions if the plans put forward by Infantino go ahead.

UEFA have issued a statement after the emergency meeting, which reads: "UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions

"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. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

"It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.

"National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a “democratic decision”, but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game. But our opposition goes far beyond process.

"The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.

"This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.

"Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.

"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.

"Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.

"There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.

"Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale."

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The FA have also issued a statement to show their support to the stance taken by UEFA. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view," an FA spokeswoman said. "We oppose FIFA’s plans - the FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will."

Several fans took to social media to react to the statements issued by UEFA and the FA.

One fan wrote: “This is necessary. Hopefully the other confederations follow suit,” while another added: “Great news! Hopefully CONMEBOL will join.”

Another fan wrote: “Well done UEFA for standing up to Infantino,” while one more added: “Well done UEFA for having the best interests of the game at heart.”

In a video released on Wednesday, Infantino said: "FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, is actually a proposal, an offer. It's part of a democratic process – a consultation process – and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation

“It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation."

He went on to add: "Capturing that value requires additional expertise, additional insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport.

“It would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions along with sponsorship, broadcast, licensing and new ventures for the benefit of FIFA's 211 member associations."

Lisa Nandy, the government's Culture Secretary, said: “This is a principled decision that we strongly support. Football belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors. Enough is enough. It’s time to take a stand to protect our game.”

Meanwhile, PA reported that 'The Football Association of Wales and the Scottish FA also emphasised their unity with their fellow national associations and gave their backing to UEFA's statement'.