{
  "id": 14850551,
  "title": "Infantino offers apology but 'no answers' at FIFA meeting over World Cup plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/infantino-offers-apology-but-no-answers-at-fifa-meeting-over-world",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-16T02:27:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1556616/infantino-offers-apology-no-answers-fifa-meeting-over-world-cup"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zurich: FIFA president Gianni Infantino did not provide satisfactory answers during a meeting to discuss his failed attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, senior football officials said. However, he did apologize for the communication and consultation process related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project. Neuendorf, head of the German Football Association, expressed disappointment over the lack of answers from Infantino, stating that nothing has shifted despite the apology. Infantino, who has been under pressure since announcing the plan in July, reaffirmed that the FFE proposal was permanently withdrawn and will not reappear. The FIFA chief vowed to release all documents pertaining to the plan and answer key questions, but no significant changes were noted among the 36 members of the FIFA Council.",
  "summary": "ZURICH: FIFA president Gianni Infantino gave “no satisfactory answers” when grilled Thursday during a meeting to discuss his attempts to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, senior members of football’s global governing body said, but he did offer an apology for the failed project.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Infantino offers apology but ‘no answers’ at Fifa meeting over World Cup plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/infantino-offers-apology-but-no-answers-at-fifa-meeting-over-world",
        "published": "2026-10-15T22:45:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Infantino apologises to FIFA Council – but told he is still not fit to lead",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/infantino-apologises-to-fifa-council-but-told-he-is-still-not-fit-to",
        "published": "2026-10-16T02:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Infantino apologises to Fifa Council – but told he is still not fit to lead",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/infantino-apologises-to-fifa-council-but-told-he-is-still-not-fit-to-14869547",
        "published": "2026-10-16T04:36:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Infantino apologises to FIFA Council, but told he is still not fit to lead",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/infantino-apologises-to-fifa-council-but-told-he-is-still-not-fit-to-14871245",
        "published": "2026-10-16T04:56:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}