India, Aug. 1 -- UEFA expressed concern over its relationship with FIFA on Saturday, saying the overall confidence in world football's governing body has been shaken despite the withdrawal of a controversial proposal to bring private investment into the sport. In a statement released on Saturday, European football's governing body welcomed FIFA's decision to abandon the plan but made it clear that the episode had raised serious questions about trust, transparency and governance within the organisation.

The proposal, championed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, involved establishing a commercial entity valued at around USD 20 billion to manage the governing body's flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, with a minority stak...