UEFA Praised by Real Madrid for Sense of Responsibility

Madrid, August 2 (TASR) - Spanish football giants Real Madrid have lauded FIFA's decision to scrap a contentious plan that would have allowed private investors to enter the World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino backed down from the initiative on Friday, following significant opposition from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and several other continental confederations.

"Our club is convinced that this is good news for football, its institutions, and above all, for the millions of fans of our beloved sport," Real Madrid stated in a press release.

The Spanish powerhouse also extended its gratitude to UEFA, the individual confederations, national associations, and other institutions that stood against the project. "Their unity and sense of responsibility protected football at a crucial moment."

FIFA had announced on Tuesday its intention to create a commercial subsidiary to manage its major events, including the World Cup and the Club World Cup. Private investors were to have the opportunity to join this company, with Infantino suggesting the project could generate approximately $4.2 billion.

UEFA was among the most vocal opponents of the proposal, threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions and declaring a loss of confidence in Infantino. Real Madrid, a founding member of the ill-fated European Super League project, had previously agreed with UEFA in February 2026 to end their long-standing disputes for the benefit of European club football, as reported by AFP.