Infantino's apology answered nothing about the World Cup sell-off
At the Oct 15 FIFA Council meeting, Gianni Infantino apologised for how the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was handled. Senior council members from England and Germany said they still received no documents or satisfactory answers.
FIFA's president faced his council for the first time since abandoning a plan to sell minority stakes in a subsidiary holding World Cup commercial rights. He apologised, but critics say the apology came without the information they asked for.
Key claims
- Infantino: he apologised "for the mistakes that we made in relation to the communication and consultation process," and says the plan was only a proposal meant to increase investment in member associations.
- FIFA: the FFE initiative is permanently withdrawn and will not reappear in any form.
- Debbie Hewitt, chair of the English FA: unless Infantino answers the questions and shares the FFE papers, he is "not fit to be FIFA president."
- Bernd Neuendorf, head of the German federation: there were "no satisfactory answers."
What the evidence says so far
CBS Sports reports FFE was valued at about $20 billion, with minority stakes to be sold to investors led by Thrive Eternal, the firm of Joshua Kushner. FIFA says the legal background was presented to the council but stays confidential because of ongoing proceedings in the United States.
Council members were asked to submit questions in writing. Hewitt said requested FFE documents had still not been provided.
FIFA proposed a USD 6.35 billion development programme, with USD 25 million per member association. It is based on what FIFA calls an unaudited surplus forecast of USD 5.2 billion to 5.6 billion. The plan still needs council approval in December and Congress approval in March 2027.
Infantino is seeking re-election in March. Candidacies close Nov 18.
Sources
Source notes
The FIFA release is self-interested and reflects the organisation's framing. Hewitt and Neuendorf are critics of Infantino. An AP report could not be opened and is not cited. The FFE documents and details of the US legal proceedings are not public.