Read our Privacy noticeMinisters have publicly backed Uefa’s decision to boycott Fifa competitions until the global football body’s controversial plans to involve private investors in major tournaments are shelved. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Uefa’s stance, describing it as a "principled decision that we strongly support". Fifa’s plans would see the body create a new company – Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) – to manage its competitions, including the men’s and women’s world cups. In a statement on Thursday, the European governing body said no Uefa national teams would take part in Fifa competitions “for so long as these proposals remain alive”. A Football Association spokesperson said the English governing body stood “shoulder to shoulder” with its European colleagues and added: “We oppose Fifa’s plans – the Fifa World Cup belongs to football and always will.”