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Infantino apologizes for investment plan errors, keeps Fifa presidency
Fifa backed Infantino after a Morocco meeting, acknowledging mistakes in its Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal and stating it will no longer tolerate attacks on its governance.
Gianni Infantino apologized for errors tied to controversial plans to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors, and said he would remain Fifa president after a meeting of senior executives in Morocco, according to BBC Business.
European football’s governing body Uefa said it had lost confidence in Infantino over the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, describing it as a shabby, back room, opaque deal. Fifa said Wednesday’s meeting acknowledged mistakes related to FFE, and that it was not intended for the Fifa council and member associations to feel excluded from the process.
Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, who was at the meeting, and the management board reaffirmed their full support for Infantino. Grafstrom and Infantino also sent a letter to Fifa vice presidents, council members, and 211 member associations in which they apologized for their errors and said they are committed to ensuring they do not happen again.
Infantino previously offered associations $40 million, or 30 million pounds, if they backed private investment for tournaments through a new subsidiary, FFE. Fifa also said errors were made after the proposal was leaked to media, and that it will take measures to protect its name and reputation.