\n<\/p>\n
Last week, FIFA announced plans to sell a $20 billion stake in the World Cup to outside investors. The organization is looking for more ways to cash in, working with JPMorgan to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling roughly a 20% stake in a new commercial entity.<\/p>\n
But all 55 UEFA member nations are saying the World Cup isn\u2019t for sale. They voted unanimously to boycott FIFA competitions if the sell-off proceeds, starting with next year\u2019s Under-20 Women\u2019s World Cup, the Guardian reports<\/a>. \u201cFootball belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors,\u201d UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy said in a statement. \u201cIt\u2019s time to take a stand to protect our game.\u201d<\/p>\n FIFA president Gianni Infantino is feeling the heat. Support for his re-election next March, previously expected to be uncontested, could now weaken, and sources say the standoff increases the odds of a Europe-backed challenger entering the race.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Last week, FIFA announced plans to sell a $20 billion stake in the World Cup to outside investors. The organization is looking for more ways to cash in, working with JPMorgan to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling roughly a 20% stake in a new commercial entity.<\/p>\n But all 55 UEFA member nations are saying the World Cup isn\u2019t for sale. They voted unanimously to boycott FIFA competitions if the sell-off proceeds, starting with next year\u2019s Under-20 Women\u2019s World Cup, the Guardian reports<\/a>. \u201cFootball belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors,\u201d UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy said in a statement. \u201cIt\u2019s time to take a stand to protect our game.\u201d<\/p>\n FIFA president Gianni Infantino is feeling the heat. Support for his re-election next March, previously expected to be uncontested, could now weaken, and sources say the standoff increases the odds of a Europe-backed challenger entering the race.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n