Gianni Infantino apologises to Fifa Council over World Cup sell-off plan
Gianni Infantino has apologised to the Fifa Council on Friday about his failed attempt to sell off stakes in its competitions to private investors. But the president of Fifa also faced continuing questions about his role in the $4.2 billion Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme during a three-and-a-half-hour meeting in Zurich. Infantino was also asked to provide more information regarding the…
Fifa President Gianni Infantino expressed regret on Friday for attempting to sell stakes in the organization's competitions to private investors, but the plan remained only a proposal and not a final decision. During a lengthy meeting in Zurich, Infantino faced questions about his involvement in the $4.2 billion Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme and the suspension of US attacker Folarin Balogun's ban during the World Cup.
English and German football leaders were still doubtful about Infantino's ability to continue as FIFA's head. The apology from Infantino acknowledged communication and consultation mistakes but stressed that the FFE plan was not a done deal. He emphasized that the scheme aimed to provide more funding for Fifa's 211 member associations.
Despite Infantino's support among African officials, opposition from influential European football associations was evident. German FA president Bernd Neuendorf called for a complete restart at FIFA, stating that reforms could not be implemented with Infantino in charge. English FA chair Debbie Hewitt criticized the Council meeting, claiming that critical questions about the FFE plan, Balogun's ban, and the controversial Peace Prize awarded to US President Donald Trump remained unanswered.
She insisted that Infantino needed to provide more information and answers to these questions before she could consider him fit to continue as FIFA president.
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