FIFA Apologizes for World Cup Investment Plan Amid Infantino Support

Rabat: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received the "full support" of senior directors on Wednesday, despite the governing body's apology for the controversy surrounding the now-abandoned plan to open the World Cup to private investment.According to France24.com, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "errors" in the handling of the proposal after a crisis meeting in Morocco, while still backing Infantino, who faced increasing pressure, even from within the organization, to step down. The controversial plan, which was leaked to the media, proposed the creation of a commercial subsidiary called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage events like the World Cup and Club World Cup, potentially raising $4.2 billion.FIFA's proposal suggested that if approved, it would provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle. However, the plan was met with strong opposition, particularly from UEFA, which threa tened to boycott the World Cup.Infantino withdrew the plan by Saturday, acknowledging that the intention was never to exclude FIFA Council and Member Associations from the process. Following Wednesday's meeting, FIFA's Secretary General and Management Board members reaffirmed their support for Infantino, acknowledging errors and committing to prevent future occurrences.The FFE proposal is now off the table, and a review will be conducted, with a report to be presented at the next FIFA Council meeting. Infantino, in Morocco for the Feast of the Enthronement, was seen attending a Women's Africa Cup of Nations match, with support from Moroccan Football chief Fouzi Lekjaa.Despite the recent turmoil, Infantino's leadership remains under scrutiny. UEFA and CONCACAF have criticized his governance, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressing a lack of confidence in Infantino's ability to lead FIFA.