UEFA set to withdraw FIFA boycott threat ahead of Champions League draw
UEFA, whose clubs and national teams dominate football's global economy, reacted furiously when it emerged in late July that Gianni Infantino's FIFA was aiming to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The UEFA board is set to abandon its earlier threat of a boycott against FIFA ahead of the Champions League draw, according to sources. This decision came shortly before the draw took place in Monaco. The dispute arose from FIFA's plans to establish a commercial subsidiary, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would allow private investors to participate in its major events.
UEFA strongly opposed this proposal, referring to it as a "shady, opaque backroom deal." The European governing body had warned that clubs and national teams under its jurisdiction would not participate in any FIFA tournament as long as the proposal remained active. However, sources indicate that UEFA and European member associations have now reached an agreement, with UEFA satisfied that the condition for the boycott threat to be dropped has been met.
The Champions League draw will now proceed as scheduled, determining the teams that will compete in the league phase of the tournament. Notably, Paris Saint-Germain will seek to win their third consecutive Champions League title after their victory in the final in Budapest earlier this season.
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