FIFA executives distance themselves from Gianni Infantino after aborted commercial venture

Within FIFA, key figures are publicly distancing themselves from President Gianni Infantino following the failure of a controversial plan to establish a commercial company. Arsène Wenger, the director of global football development, stated that the decision to abandon the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project was "absolutely necessary and incontestable." He stressed his firm belief in an independent FIFA committed to transparency and integrity.

Wenger, who joined FIFA in 2019, noted that he learned about the project through the press and was not involved in its development. The project, which aimed to "unlock the commercial potential" of football, was presented unexpectedly and faced significant opposition, leading to its withdrawal.

FIFA's Secretary General, Mattias Grafström, also conveyed his distance from the controversial initiative. In an email to staff, he lamented "a series of sad and condemnable events" that ultimately led to the project's permanent cancellation. Grafström, who previously served as Infantino's chief of staff, emphasized that "individuals pass, but the institution remains," underscoring the ongoing mission and responsibility of FIFA.

This internal dissent adds to external pressures from powerful entities like UEFA and CONCACAF, which had previously opposed the FFE project and directly criticized Infantino. Adding to the internal fallout, Carlos Cordeiro, a principal advisor to Infantino and former investment banker, resigned, declaring the project "a bad thing for the long-term future of the game."

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«Les individus, les moments d’instabilité et les épisodes malheureux passent», «L’institution, sa mission et sa responsabilité envers le football continuent».