UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions

brunoborges

Infantino clearly wants to see FIFA making billions so he and many others can pocket millions legally. But the only way for this to happen in a non-corrupt way, given that FIFA is non-profit and therefore requires a lot of questionable operations, is to turn FIFA into a business like NFL / MLS. The problem with that is that it then it is no longer a sport, rather a... business. UEFA letter is spot on.

TechTechTech

[dupe] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49112089

baalimago

It seems like Europe, yet again, have to stand up for ethics, morality and try to deflect corruption. It's so tiresome.

riffraff

It's crazy that as despicable an organization as UEFA is, they're still far better than FIFA. Infantino has been a disgrace, I hope they manage to get rid of him, but I have very little hope.

ktallett

The FA's worldwide don't need FIFA, they can set up a new world tournament. You will get a lot of poor nations who stick with FIFA for the cash but at the end of the day without European teams the world cup and FIFA will have minimal value. 5 of the last 6 world cup winners were european and it will only get more biased towards Europe. Argentina post Messi have no chance, and Brazil are the furthest away from winning than they ever have been.

triceratops

This is so highly unusual even sports-allergic HN wants to discuss it. It's like a religious schism in some sense.

haunter

I think the mandatory ad break introduced by FIFA at the World Cup was also too much for most football people, not just fans. Changed too much, broke the dynamics, basically the sport became a game of 4 quarters instead of 2 halves. These two things combined together are just over the top and unacceptable (UEFA already said they won't use these mandatory ad breaks anywhere) This is the closest where I can see a future where we have a rugby union / rugby league like schism. Oh and guess who is behind the investment group: https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-fifa-investors-kushner-...

glitchc

Cue UEFA's leadership being replaced in the next year or two. FIFA has had a taste of the amount of money involved in professional sports. There's no going back.

scaredreally

ELI5? What are the factors and implications?

shmuli9

About time Hard to think of a modern institution as corrupt as fifa. That may not bother too many people because it’s not their government, but I just think it stinks

paulbjensen

It's only a matter of time before there are sponsors on the Yellow and Red cards...

Ekaros

FIFA is just upholding western values. Profit, exploitation and money over everything else. They with FIA and likes are just showing the world what truly matters for western world.

sunrising

It's a pity that those letters are not sent for many many other things.

blahblaher

Good to see some "balls" can still be found

nkg

I'm so happy to see they care enough to take a stand. The last World Cup was a sh-t show. I expect the LA olympics to be no better.

mgianluc76

Good calls. Honestly, the last World Cup already had way too many unwatchable matches before the quarterfinals. And the hydration pauses to sell more ads. And that halftime show during the final.

paxys

Football/soccer is one place where Europe can easily flex their muscles against American capitalism and corruption. Good on them for saying it loud and clear.

whateveracct

CONCACAF too

dotcoma

Europe, united at long last!