FIFA president Gianni Infantino has apologised for mistakes in the handling and communication of the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, as the governing body moves to review its governance framework following months of criticism.
Speaking at the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on Thursday, October 15, Infantino confirmed that the proposal had been permanently withdrawn and would not be reintroduced in any form.
The initiative, which aimed to increase investment in football, drew criticism over how it was developed and communicated, raising concerns about transparency and consultation.
“I would like to apologise for the mistakes made in terms of how the project was conducted and communicated,” Infantino said, according to a FIFA statement.
The Council also received a briefing from external lawyers on the project’s legal background. FIFA said the details remained confidential because of ongoing legal proceedings in the United States.
In response to the concerns, the Council agreed to establish a working group with representatives from all six FIFA confederations to review the organisation’s governance framework.
The meeting also discussed a proposed increase in football development funding. Infantino said the financial success of the 2026 World Cup presented an opportunity to increase investment in the global game.
He added that FIFA’s resources, including its reserves, belonged to its 211 member associations and should be used in the best interests of football.
The governance review is part of FIFA’s response to concerns about accountability and the management of its resources. The Council is scheduled to meet again in December 2026.
