Fifa has scrapped its plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors, after widespread backlash and threats of a boycott.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino proposed the controversial plan in July, declaring that a vote would determine whether or not it would go ahead, but there was anger and concern from many voices in the footballing world.

European football’s governing body Uefa even confirmed a boycott of the World Cup and other Fifa competitions, saying its member nations would not take part if Infantino’s plan was voted through.

The Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf, which represents 41 nations from North and Central America and the Caribbean, backed Uefa in their stance.

Despite Fifa hitting back in a statement that insisted “nobody is selling football”, the sport’s world governing body ultimately backed down.

A statement from Infantino read: “The Fifa Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our Fifa Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed.

“And more so, as we said from the outset, to do this only if a majority of the Fifa Member Associations were in support and always subject to a consultation process with them, the Fifa Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders.

“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.

“Our purpose has always been - and will always be - to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed.

“Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support.”