Uli Hoeneß has spoken out strongly against the controversial plans of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The honorary president of FC Bayern is convinced that the world soccer federation’s proposal has no future without Europe’s support.
The debate over the planned involvement of private investors in the World Cup is sparking strong reactions worldwide. Now that UEFA member associations have unanimously announced a boycott of all FIFA competitions should the world governing body go ahead with its plans, Uli Hoeneß believes Europeans are now in a strong negotiating position.
On the sidelines of Bayern’s training camp at Lake Tegernsee, the 74-year-old made it clear that he does not believe the project will succeed.
“Without the Europeans, you can forget about the tournament.”
“Personally, I believe that the Europeans don’t even realize yet just how strong they actually are. You can throw a competition without Europeans in the trash,” Hoeneß explained.
The Bayern honorary president is convinced that a united front by the European soccer associations would be enough to make FIFA reconsider. “If the Europeans are truly united, if they work consistently toward this goal, then Mr. Infantino won’t get this plan through,” Hoeneß emphasized.
Previously, all 55 UEFA member associations had decided to boycott all FIFA competitions if the world governing body were to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors. According to media reports, Infantino has given the associations until September 19 to approve the proposal. Under these terms, a simple majority would be sufficient to implement the plans.
Hoeneß recalls the G-14
To support his argument, Hoeneß referred to his experiences with the former G-14, the alliance of leading European top clubs.
“Back then, with the G-14 at the club level, we managed to bring UEFA to the table, secure much more money, and gain much greater acceptance for the big clubs,” recalled the longtime Bayern manager.
Hoeneß now hopes to see a similar approach at the association level. “That’s the kind of thing I’m envisioning now. That the federations and the countries that matter globally—and for me, that means primarily the Europeans—reach a consensus. And if they’re united, then it won’t happen.”
With his statements, Hoeneß is taking a clear stand against FIFA’s plans while simultaneously backing the European federations. Whether UEFA’s united resistance will actually be enough to stop Infantino’s plans should become clear by the time the set deadline expires in September at the latest.