FIFA Apologizes Over Controversial Private Investment Plan as Management Board Backs Infantino

Dragon Media News Desk

The International Federation of Association Football has apologized to its 211 member associations after acknowledging procedural failures in advancing a controversial proposal to introduce private investment into a commercial entity linked to its major competitions, including the World Cup.

Following an emergency meeting held on Wednesday at FIFA’s African office in Salé, near the Moroccan capital Rabat, the organization admitted that the proposal should have been handled differently.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström and members of the management board nevertheless reaffirmed their full support for President Gianni Infantino’s leadership.

FIFA said a letter had been sent on behalf of Infantino and Grafström to council members and national football associations. The letter apologized for the errors and pledged to review internal procedures to prevent similar failures in the future.

The proposed commercial entity, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, was intended to manage revenue-generating activities linked to the men’s and women’s World Cups, the Club World Cup, broadcasting rights, sponsorship, ticketing and hospitality.

The entity was reportedly valued at around 20 billion U.S. dollars, with a proposal to sell approximately 20 percent of its ownership to private investors and raise about 4.2 billion dollars.

The plan also included a proposed payment of 20 million dollars to each FIFA member association.

However, the initiative triggered widespread criticism after it emerged that the FIFA Council, member associations and senior officials had not been adequately consulted.

The Union of European Football Associations warned that it could consider boycotting FIFA competitions if the proposal proceeded. Although the plan was later withdrawn, UEFA said it had lost confidence in FIFA’s leadership.

Grafström had previously described the developments as regrettable and unacceptable in an internal communication to FIFA employees.

FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour reportedly complained that staff had not been properly informed about the proposal, while senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest.

Former Portuguese football star Luis Figo called for Infantino’s immediate resignation.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also said he had lost confidence in Infantino, describing the failure to consult senior officials and board members as a serious leadership breakdown.

Despite mounting criticism and calls for his resignation, Infantino retained the backing of FIFA’s internal leadership following the emergency meeting. The controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal has now been formally withdrawn.

Infantino, 56, has led FIFA since 2016 and is preparing to seek a fourth and final term at the organization’s election scheduled to be held in Morocco in March 2027.

Although several European football associations have withdrawn their support, no clear rival candidate has yet emerged.