FIFA pledges 'full support' for Infantino and apologises for sell-off plan

FIFA's leadership has publicly reaffirmed its "full support" for President Gianni Infantino after a critical meeting in Rabat, Morocco. The global soccer body also issued an apology to its 211 member associations for errors made in the handling of a controversial proposal to sell commercial rights tied to the World Cup.

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FIFA leadership had reaffirmed its full support for the president while acknowledging that the handling of the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal should have been different.

The withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan aimed to raise approximately $4.2 billion by selling a 20% stake in a new commercial rights entity. However, the proposal drew sharp criticism from European soccer's governing body, UEFA, and other stakeholders, who accused FIFA of poor governance and a lack of transparency. The involvement of a company with family ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump also fueled scrutiny.

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FIFA would 'no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process' and would take all necessary measures to protect its reputation.

In a statement, FIFA acknowledged that mistakes were made in the handling of the FFE proposal, which has become the most significant challenge to Infantino's leadership since he took office in 2016. Despite the apology and the reaffirmation of support, the controversy has cast doubt on Infantino's prospects for re-election to a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in March.

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I don't have confidence in Mr Infantino.