Monaco

UEFA has intensified its campaign for changes at FIFA after the governing body withdrew a proposal to sell a stake in profits from future World Cups and other competitions to outside investors.

A statement from European football leaders said the proposal exposed failures of judgment and that the resulting loss of trust could not be repaired simply by withdrawing it. They mandated UEFA to pursue institutional, political and legal avenues for reform, including an independent external review of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project.

The Associated Press reported that UEFA is preparing a possible criminal complaint in Switzerland over alleged mismanagement and has sought evidence in US courts about the proposed investment plan. FIFA did not comment to AP on that move. The prospect of a complaint is not a finding of wrongdoing and should be described as a potential legal step.

UEFA said FIFA had confirmed in writing that the project had been permanently withdrawn. It also said European teams had provisionally suspended a threatened withdrawal from some FIFA youth competitions, while keeping its broader governance position under review.