Former England Manager Sam Allardyce calls on UEFA to ‘stay strong’ and resist FIFA World Cup sell-off

Sam Allardyce has called on Uefa to “stay strong” and resist Fifa’s World Cup sell-off plans after the European association announced a plot to boycott the next tournament.

Speaking to GB News, the former England manager warned that selling part of the tournament to private equity would be “an absolute disaster” for football.

Earlier today, Europe’s football association announced it would not participate in the upcoming 2030 World Cup should the plan go ahead.

They are protesting plans from Fifa President Gianni Infantino that could see up to 20 per cent of a new commercial subsidiary sold to external investors, with the venture reportedly valued at around £20billion.

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“The World Cup is funded and globally big enough to create as much money as it's needed to keep it within house,” Allardyce said.

“Not to sell it off or franchise it off to private equity companies.”

The former Premier League boss warned private investors would prioritise profits over the sport itself.

“The damage that we might see done to the beautiful game by private equity companies getting involved is they just want to make money, as much money as they possibly can,” he said.

Calling on European football's governing body to resist the proposals, Allardyce added: “Uefa just need to stay strong this time. They can't be bought.”

He backed Uefa’s threat to boycott the World Cup if the plans proceed, describing it as “the right thing to do” despite the unprecedented consequences.

“It would be the biggest thing we've seen for a long time in football, but the right thing to do,” the former Three Lions manager said.

“If we don't all stick together and this goes through, it'll be an absolute disaster in my opinion.

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“We're just selling it for a fistful of dollars, that's all we're doing, and we're not doing the fans any favours whatsoever.”

Allardyce also criticised the most recent World Cup, claiming the expanded tournament had diluted the quality of the competition.

“I think there were too many teams, too much interference,” he despaired.

“This is purely for money and extra money, and I think that is a shame.”

Rejecting suggestions that private investment could benefit supporters through lower ticket prices, Allardyce said any additional revenue would instead flow to shareholders.

“They'll be paying the shareholders more dividends. That's all they'll be doing.

“They won't pass it on to the fan,” he predicted.

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