FIFA "apologizes" after controversial plan to open itself up to private investors

FIFA leadership, however, reaffirmed its "full support" for its president, Gianni Infantino.

Beset by criticism after its failed plan to open up to private investors, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "errors" and offered "apologies," while nevertheless expressing "full support" for President Gianni Infantino, on Wednesday following a crisis meeting in Morocco. This meeting, which was closed to the press, was held at FIFA's African headquarters, located within the Mohammed VI Sports Complex in Salé, near Rabat.

Late in the evening, FIFA's management released a statement acknowledging "that mistakes were made following the leak of the proposal to the media." "Apologies have been offered for these errors, along with a commitment to ensure they do not happen again." "It was agreed that there was absolutely no intention to exclude the FIFA Council and FIFA member associations from the process and that it should have been managed differently," the statement admitted, without naming Mr. Infantino. "In this specific case, however, it is important to emphasize that, although mistakes were made, everything that was done was done in strict compliance with FIFA's regulatory framework," the statement added.

Top officials rushed to the defense of Gianni Infantino, who has been under attack from all sides in recent days. "The members of the FIFA Executive Committee present reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the only official elected by FIFA's 211 member associations," the statement said.

FIFA "will no longer tolerate any violations"

“With the project abandoned, it is understood that FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance, and respect for due process, and that it will take all necessary measures to protect and preserve its name and reputation,” the statement continued. Infantino, criticized by some of his close associates, appears to be letting the matter drop. He reiterated, in particular, “his full support for the FIFA Secretary General (Mattias Grafström) and the FIFA Administration for their indispensable and remarkable work in implementing his vision.” Grafström, in a letter to FIFA employees seen by AFP, had expressed regret over “a series of sad and reprehensible events.”

Gianni Infantino, who attended the Zambia-Malawi Women's Africa Cup of Nations match in Rabat on Wednesday evening, has been at the helm of FIFA for ten years. The Italian-Swiss politician has pursued numerous divisive projects, culminating last week in his announcement of plans to create an external company (FIFA Forward Enterprise, FFE) to manage the organization's commercial activities and tournaments such as the World Cup, with the involvement of private investors.

Unveiled to everyone's surprise last Tuesday after being leaked to the press, the project was ultimately withdrawn overnight from Friday to Saturday in the face of opposition from numerous football stakeholders, including the European confederation (UEFA). Several FIFA officials have distanced themselves from Infantino in recent days, including Arsène Wenger, the organization's current director of global football development. Gianni Infantino's chief advisor, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned on Friday, stating his "categorically" opposition to Infantino's plan.

Political pressures

On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney added his voice to that of his British counterpart Andy Burnham in criticizing the FIFA president. "I certainly have no confidence in Mr. Infantino after what has happened," Mr. Carney said. "The idea that good governance means not disclosing information to your closest advisors... that's fatal." On Friday, Mr. Burnham had stated that Gianni Infantino was "the wrong person to lead" FIFA.

In the world of football, the pressure came from the powerful UEFA and Concacaf (the North American and Caribbean Confederation). Concacaf called last week for a "complete overhaul" of the FIFA president's governance, while UEFA, which had threatened to boycott the World Cups to get its way, said it had "lost confidence" in Infantino.

Infantino is currently the only declared candidate for re-election as FIFA president, in a vote to be held in Rabat in March 2027. The 56-year-old Italian-Swiss needs a majority of the 211 member associations to secure a new and final four-year term. So far, a handful of federations (Finland, Wales, Serbia, and Sweden) have officially withdrawn their support.