FIFA sell-off: UEFA threatens World Cup boycott of Infantino plan

UEFA fights back

The proposal, backed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has sparked growing opposition across the football world.

European football's governing body called an emergency meeting on Thursday to weigh a coordinated response, with a boycott of FIFA tournaments among the options on the table.

Infantino wants to create a subsidiary to run FIFA competitions with outside investment, a company the Mirror reports could be valued at around £15bn.

UEFA has condemned the move as an attempt to "sell the soul" of football, and the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf have also criticised it, saying they were not consulted and learned of the plan through the media.

What the FIFA sell-off means for the World Cup

European football's governing body left no doubt about the strength of its opposition.

This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously.

According to a document seen by BBC Sport, FIFA has given all 211 member associations until 19 September to say whether they agree, with a straight majority needed to proceed.

The body expects to receive its first external funding by the end of October, meaning the row over its handling of recent controversies is unlikely to fade soon.