Uefa is expected to abandon its threat to boycott Fifa competitions after receiving assurances that there will be no repeat of Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The issue is due to be discussed by Uefa’s executive committee at a meeting in Monaco on Thursday.
Earlier this month, European football’s governing body said the conditions needed to avoid a boycott had “not been met”, despite Infantino’s plan being withdrawn after widespread criticism.
“Assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again,” Uefa said at the time.
Infantino had previously told national member associations that the Fifa Forward Enterprises proposal was “now off the table” and apologised for “errors”.
If Uefa lifts its boycott threat, next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup will go ahead as scheduled. Six European teams are due to take part: England, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, alongside hosts Poland.
The tournament’s continuation would avoid the disruption of a dispute between the two governing bodies having a direct impact on young players and the women’s game.
Uefa has been at the forefront of opposition to Infantino and is expected to maintain its calls for major changes to Fifa’s leadership.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has said he expects Infantino either to resign or face a rival candidate in the election for the Fifa presidency in March.
One source close to the discussions said withdrawing the boycott threat should not be viewed as a concession by Uefa.
“This isn’t a climbdown,” the source said, adding that Infantino’s opponents “will continue until there are wholesale changes”.
“It is not a Uefa defeat, rather the reality of avoiding hurting young players [over a] once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” they added.
“The actions and insistence on change will continue and will win out in the end.”
Last month, all 55 of Uefa’s member associations voted to boycott Fifa competitions until the Fifa Forward Enterprises proposal was abandoned “in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that Fifa will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership”.
The proposal prompted strong criticism because it would have involved private investment in areas of Fifa’s operations traditionally controlled by football’s governing structures.
Fifa and Uefa have both been approached for comment.
UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy said earlier this month that she would not support a boycott of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
“I am not generally in favour of sporting boycotts full stop, because I think they divide people from one another. I think they unfairly penalise athletes and competitors who are not responsible for the reason that these boycotts take place,” she said.
“What I would like to see actually is football coming together, resolving this, a change of leadership, a change of direction and a very clear message that football belongs to its fans and it will not have women and girls penalised when the women’s game is going from strength to strength. And our Lionesses are leading the world in that.”
