Danish UEFA member calls for World Cup boycott

But not everyone in Europe is on board

The scandals and corruption that have embroiled the international football body FIFA, coupled with the controversial re-election of its president Sepp Blatter last week, may have serious consequences for the upcoming World Cups in Russia and Qatar.

Allan Hansen, the Danish member of the executive committee of the European football confederation UEFA, has called for a boycott of the 2018 World Cup in Russia in an attempt to force the beleaguered Blatter out of FIFA.

During a meeting connected to the recent Europa League final, Hansen proposed to boycott the World Cup in Russia and hold a separate tournament – another European Championship – under the umbrella of UEFA in which selected South American nations could also participate.

“If we [UEFA] break out and run our own business, I am sure the countries that don’t want change will realise they can’t miss Europe,” Hansen told the British newspaper The Independent.

“I know it is undemocratic, but if we don’t want in the future to have a FIFA like the one we know today, then we have to do some radical things.”

READ MORE: DBU criticises Blatter re-election

A challenge
Hansen’s plan, however, has its pitfalls.

According to the Independent, up to 15 of the 54 UEFA nations, including Spain and France, voted for Blatter and not his main rival, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, as previously agreed by the confederation.

UEFA is scheduled to meet and discuss breaking away from FIFA again on Friday in Berlin ahead of the Champions League final on Saturday.

Earlier this week, the Danish football association DBU – which voted for Prins Ali – called Blatter’s re-election “a defeat for world football.“

TOP STORIES

  • “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “To some extent, Denmark is not fair to internationals.” Nichlas Walsted, 34 years old, is the CEO of Swap Language, a provider of Danish lessons to more than 10,000 internationals. Tens of thousands of people follow him, and he advocates for internationals: “Because no one else does. I can’t think of a single politician or well-known person in Denmark who stands up for them,” he says.

  • Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Almost 30 million passengers travelled to or from Copenhagen Airport in 2024. The profit was 1.4 billion DKK and both figures are expected to grow in 2025. Expansions continue, and investments are being made in continued progress

  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Greenlandic election seen as positive by experts

    Greenlandic election seen as positive by experts

    Last night’s Greenlandic election resulted in a surprising landslide victory for the moderate party Demokraatit, who won 30 percent of the votes – a 20 percent rise for the party since the last election.

  • Greenland moves to the right

    Greenland moves to the right

    A very surprising election gives victory to the right-wing opposition party Demokraatit. The incumbent center-left coalition loses spectacularly. Greenland – and Denmark – anxiously await upcoming government negotiations

  • Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Copenhagen Capacity has launched a survey for all internationals living in Denmark to find out if they are happy here and what challenges they face. The Copenhagen Post is the media partner for this initiative. You can find the survey below in the article.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    A study reveals how only the massive influx of non-Western immigrants has saved many areas in Denmark from a decline in the workforce and a consequently shrinking economy

  • Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    An analysis from the Labour Movement’s Business Council shows that the rate in long-term unemployment for non-Western immigrants is 1.8 times higher than for Danes. In other words, a chronic unemployment situation is way more probable for non-Western internationals.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs