In the aftermath of a failed initiative to attract private investors, FIFA's management has admitted to making "mistakes" and has offered an apology while still expressing unwavering support for President Gianni Infantino. This declaration came following a crisis meeting held on August 5 in Morocco, specifically at FIFA's Africa headquarters within the Mohammed VI complex in Salé, near Rabat. The meeting, which was not open to the media, resulted in the release of a statement late in the evening acknowledging that errors occurred after the proposal leaked to the press. The statement emphasized that apologies were made for these mistakes, alongside a commitment to ensure they do not recur.
FIFA's statement further clarified that it was never the intention to exclude the FIFA Council and member associations from the process, acknowledging that the situation should have been managed differently. It did not directly name Gianni Infantino but underlined that while mistakes had been made, all actions taken were within the strict confines of FIFA's regulatory framework. The statement reiterated the organization's commitment to integrity, good governance, and adherence to regular procedures, asserting that FIFA would take all necessary measures to protect its name and reputation.
Infantino's Tenure Under Scrutiny
Gianni Infantino has faced significant criticism from various quarters recently, but FIFA's senior officials have rallied to his defense. The statement from FIFA's leadership reaffirmed their full support for Infantino, highlighting that he is the only person elected by the 211 member associations. Despite the abandonment of the controversial project, FIFA's message was clear: any future threats to its integrity and governance would be met with decisive action.
Infantino, who has been at the helm for a decade, has been known for initiating divisive projects, including a recent announcement about forming an external company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage the commercial activities of the organization, potentially involving private investors. This particular proposal, which took many by surprise when revealed last Tuesday, was ultimately withdrawn following substantial opposition from various stakeholders in football, including the European confederation (UEFA).
International Response to Infantino's Leadership
In the days following the revelation of the proposal, several FIFA executives distanced themselves from Infantino, including Arsène Wenger, who currently directs football development within the organization. Notably, Infantino's chief advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned, categorically opposing the project. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British counterpart Andy Burnham have also voiced their lack of confidence in Infantino, criticizing his governance style and decision-making process. Carney remarked that it is detrimental for good governance to withhold information from close advisors, while Burnham labeled Infantino as the wrong person to lead FIFA.
The pressure from the football community has been palpable, particularly from UEFA and CONCACAF, with the latter calling for a comprehensive review of FIFA's governance. UEFA has even threatened to boycott World Cups unless their concerns are addressed, stating they have "lost confidence" in Infantino. As the only declared candidate for re-election in March 2027, Infantino must secure the majority of the 211 member federations to obtain a new four-year term, but he has already lost formal support from several associations including Finland, Wales, Serbia, and Sweden.
As reported by france24.com.
