FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged to ‘do what is right for the game’ as he calls for greater dialogue and an independent review of the governing body’s decision-making processes following the collapse of his FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
Infantino said he had received positive feedback from football stakeholders on his proposal for an independent assessment of FIFA’s governance framework and urged officials to maintain a culture of dialogue.
‘I have received positive messages about it from different parts of the world, and it is important that we keep listening to each other,’ Infantino said.
‘There must be a culture of dialogue, of listening to each other and respecting one another. This is not about generating positive headlines; it is about doing what is right for the game.’
The proposals are expected to be discussed at the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on October 15, where the 37-member body will consider consultations with FIFA’s 211 member associations and six continental confederations on strengthening decision-making processes.
Infantino backs independent review
In a letter to FIFA Council members and the 211 member associations, Infantino proposed an independent external review of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives.
He also proposed structured consultations with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on how FIFA’s decision-making could be strengthened, including the roles of the president, bureau, Council and Congress, as well as transparency, participation and accountability.
‘I have never been more determined and committed to doing that,’ Infantino said. ‘FIFA is always engaged. I am always engaged, and I want to hear how we can continue to grow football for the benefit of everybody, everywhere.’
The move follows the collapse of the FFE proposal, which envisaged creating a FIFA-owned commercial subsidiary and raising up to $4.2 billion from minority investors. FIFA said the initiative was designed to increase funding for football development, but withdrew it after opposition from several confederations and member associations.
FFE dispute fuels governance debate
The abandoned proposal has triggered a wider debate over FIFA’s governance and the process for approving major strategic initiatives.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani have called for an independent review of FIFA’s financial reserves and proposed distributing $2.1 billion among the governing body’s 211 member associations.
The FFE proposal was based on an initial equity valuation of $20 billion, with investors expected to purchase minority, non-controlling interests in the new subsidiary.
FIFA said it would retain control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, the international match calendar and regulatory and sporting decisions.
Infantino said the proposal had been withdrawn and would not proceed, while maintaining that FIFA’s democratic processes and sporting authority were not for sale.