Facing widespread criticism, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has abandoned the project to open the association to private investors. “After listening carefully to all points of view, it has become clear that the project has created divisions (…) that are no longer in the interest of the original objective,” he acknowledged in a statement released this Saturday. “Our goal has always been, and will always be, to unite and progress. The proposal will therefore not be pursued,” announced the world football leader, who has been weakened following the recent resignation of his senior advisor, Carlos Cordeiro.
Presented on Tuesday to general surprise, the FIFA plan, which aimed to increase football development funding to $10 billion over the next four years, was heavily criticized for both its substance and its form. In particular, it raised fears of the commercialization of football amid suspicions of conflicts of interest.
Gianni Infantino had launched the idea of creating a company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), open to private investors. This entity would have been responsible for managing the commercial and event activities of the world football governing body, but many were concerned that competitions, and football in general, would be distorted.
The idea had sparked an outcry, especially from the powerful UEFA, which brings together 55 European federations. On Thursday, it threatened “unanimously” not to participate in future FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the association did not abandon the project. The AFC, CONCACAF, and other bodies also expressed significant opposition, citing a lack of consensus and concerns over the sport’s governance.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-01 09:23:38 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/football-gianni-infantino-renonce-a-son-projet-de-faire-entrer-des-investisseurs-prives-au-sein-de-la-fifa/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=football-gianni-infantino-renonce-a-son-projet-de-faire-entrer-des-investisseurs-prives-au-sein-de-la-fifa