European football’s governing body UEFA said yesterday they would maintain their boycott of the men’s and women’s World Cups despite FIFA withdrawing the plan to open up their competitions to private investment. UEFA’s initial threat issued last Thursday to boycott FIFA competitions is widely credited in being pivotal in the plan being shelved. Whilst UEFA had welcomed the withdrawal of the plan last Saturday they had slammed FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his “shabby, backroom, opaque deal.” “UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. UEFA dismissed this show of support, which included FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom, whose leaked email to staff on Tuesday had criticised the plan.