FIFA has scrapped its controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project after strong opposition from football bodies, national associations, and stakeholders across the world.
The proposal aimed to create a new commercial company that would manage FIFA’s competitions and allow private investors to buy a minority stake in the business, including rights linked to the FIFA World Cup.
FIFA said the plan would have generated more funds to support football development, especially in countries that need more investment.
However, the proposal faced immediate criticism from several major football organisations.
UEFA, national associations, and other confederations raised concerns over private ownership of football assets. They argued that the sport’s biggest competitions should remain under football’s control.
Infantino Ends Controversial Plan
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the FIFA Forward Enterprise project would no longer continue after emergency meetings with football stakeholders.
Infantino said FIFA created the plan to strengthen its member associations and improve football development worldwide.
However, he admitted that the project created divisions within the football community.
The FIFA president said the organisation listened to the concerns of member associations, confederations, the FIFA Council, and other stakeholders before making the decision.
He added that FIFA’s main goal remains uniting football and supporting its growth around the world.
UEFA Criticizes FIFA Leadership
UEFA welcomed FIFA’s decision to withdraw the proposal but launched a strong criticism of Infantino’s leadership.
The European football body said it had lost confidence in FIFA’s current leadership and accused the organisation of failing to maintain transparency.
UEFA claimed the proposal lacked openness and described it as a “shabby, back room, opaque deal.”
The organisation also questioned FIFA’s decision to seek private investment while holding more than $5 billion in reserves.
UEFA said FIFA should use those funds to support grassroots football through the existing FIFA Forward programme.
The body believes the money should benefit football development across all 211 FIFA member associations.
FIFA Faces New Questions
UEFA said it will work with other confederations and football stakeholders to review how the proposal reached an advanced stage.
The organisation wants to prevent similar plans from emerging without wider consultation in the future.
Although FIFA has withdrawn the project, the controversy continues.
Reports suggest some football figures are considering a possible challenger to Infantino in the next FIFA presidential election.
However, people close to the FIFA president say he does not plan to resign or step away from his position.
The collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project ends the immediate crisis, but FIFA still faces the challenge of rebuilding trust within the global football community.
