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CAF backs FIFA after governance apology, endorses Infantino

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously endorsed FIFA's statement acknowledging mistakes in the handling of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
  • CAF also reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino following the controversy surrounding the FFE, which was withdrawn after criticism over a lack of consultation.
  • FIFA apologized for errors in the FFE's presentation, stating that while mistakes were made, all actions complied with FIFA's regulatory framework.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has thrown its full support behind FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, following a controversy over a proposed commercial venture. At a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, leaders unanimously endorsed FIFA's recent statement acknowledging mistakes in the handling of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

We acknowledge mistakes were made in the process of the proposed establishment of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (‘FFE’).

— FIFAFIFA's statement acknowledging errors in the FFE's presentation.

The FFE, intended as a new FIFA-owned subsidiary to manage commercial and event operations and raise $4.2 billion by selling minority stakes, was unveiled on July 28, 2026. FIFA stated the initiative aimed to boost football development funding for its 211 member associations. However, the proposal was withdrawn after facing criticism for an inadequate consultation process with FIFA's Council and member associations.

It was certainly not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and it should have been handled differently. We sincerely apologise for these errors and commit to them not happening again.

— FIFAFIFA's apology for the FFE's flawed presentation process.

FIFA issued an apology on August 6, 2026, admitting that errors occurred in the FFE's presentation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström acknowledged that the FIFA Council and member associations should have been more involved. They apologized for these errors, promising they would not happen again and announcing a review of the process. The FFE proposal is now off the table.

With this in mind, we will conduct a necessary review, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting.

— FIFAFIFA's commitment to reviewing the FFE process.

CAF's statement indicated it had taken note of FIFA's admission of mistakes. The continental football body reaffirmed its commitment to governance, transparency, and due process, aligning with FIFA's stated principles.

Furthermore as already known, the proposal which would have been subject to the approval of the FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council, is now off the table.

— FIFAFIFA's confirmation that the FFE proposal has been withdrawn.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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