Gianni Infantino has been left humiliated overnight after he initially planned to sell off stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has scrapped the controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and its other tournaments to private investors.
The governing body confirmed on Saturday that the proposal, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), “will not proceed” after three continental confederations rejected the plans, with UEFA warning that its member nations would boycott FIFA competitions if they went ahead.
Infantino said the proposal had been designed to generate more investment for member associations around the world, but admitted the idea has “created divisions” which are “no longer in the interest” of its initial objective.
In a statement, Infantino said: “The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed.
“And more so, as we said from the outset, to do this only if a majority of the FIFA Member Associations were in support and always subject to a consultation process with them, the FIFA Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders.
“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.
“Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve.
“As a result, this proposal will not proceed.
“Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support.”
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