UEFA will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to determine its response to FIFA's controversial proposal to sell a stake in its World Cup competitions, with tensions escalating between football's two most powerful governing bodies.
The virtual meeting follows the revelation that FIFA has given its 211 member associations until 19 September to decide whether to back the proposal. Associations that agree would receive an initial $20 million (£15 million) payment, the first half of a proposed $40 million (£30 million) package.
UEFA has strongly condemned FIFA's approach after learning of the deadline.
"We have learned of FIFA's deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan," UEFA said.
It is the second public statement from UEFA on the matter after previously claiming FIFA had "crossed a line."
Many national associations, including The Football Association (FA), reportedly only became aware of the proposal through media reports. FA chairwoman Debbie Hewitt, who serves as a FIFA vice-president, was not informed in advance.
UEFA's concerns have also been echoed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), CONMEBOL, and CONCACAF.
FIFA wants to sell a 20% stake in its competitions to private investors led by Thrive Eternal, an investment vehicle owned by Joshua Kushner, the brother-in-law of Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump.
According to FIFA, the proposal is designed to generate more funding for football development worldwide.
In an eight-page document released on Wednesday, FIFA argued that:
"Too little of football's growing commercial value has reached the parts of the game that need it most."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the proposal, insisting it is voluntary rather than compulsory.
"It's part of a democratic process - a consultation process - and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation."
He described the initiative as:
"A golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally."
FIFA says the additional funding would improve football infrastructure, strengthen national teams, expand youth development pathways and increase investment in women's football.
The governing body also pointed to the first-ever World Cup qualifications of Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan as evidence of football's growing global reach, while citing Formula 1, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga as examples of sporting organisations using dedicated commercial partnerships.
FIFA has also insisted private investors would have no influence over the running of the FIFA World Cup.
The proposal has triggered widespread criticism across the football world.
Former FA chairman David Bernstein believes England should withdraw from the World Cup if the plans are approved.
While UEFA's 55 member associations could significantly impact the tournament by refusing to participate, such a move is considered highly unlikely. However, not every European federation opposes the proposal.
Czech Republic FA president David Trunda said the investment could offer "pragmatic benefits" for Czech football.
Several of football's leading organisations have voiced strong opposition.
The European Leagues organisation described the proposal as:
"A reckless and divisive development for world football."
It added:
"The World Cup should not be for sale. It is not the FIFA president's private equity asset."
Global players' union FIFPRO urged FIFA to reconsider, warning that turning World Cup competitions into investment assets for private capital would fundamentally reshape the sport's future.
The union criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the proposal, describing it as "particularly troubling."
Meanwhile, La Liga president Javier Tebas accused Infantino of using the proposal to secure political support ahead of the next FIFA Congress.
"It doesn't seem like a reform. It seems like an electoral campaign financed with the future of football."
"Development cannot be used to buy votes or silences."
Borussia Dortmund president and German FA vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke also condemned the plans, calling them:
"An absolute attack on football."
He added that a united European response would carry enormous influence in shaping FIFA's next steps.
