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Infantino sorry for errors but stays FIFA president

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino apologized for errors in controversial plans to sell stakes in competitions to private investors.
  • He received backing from senior FIFA executives in a meeting in Morocco, ensuring he remains president despite criticism.
  • FIFA acknowledged mistakes in the process and stated it will protect its integrity against attacks.

Gianni Infantino has apologized for "errors" made in his aborted plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors. The FIFA president will remain in his post after receiving the backing of senior executives during a meeting in Morocco.

sincerely apologise for their errors and commit to them not happening again

โ€” Gianni Infantino and Mattias GrafstromIn a signed letter sent to FIFA's vice-presidents, council and 211 member associations.

Infantino called the management board to FIFA's Africa office in Rabat following widespread criticism of his proposals. These included a plan for private investment in tournaments like the men's and women's World Cups through a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). European football's governing body UEFA had previously stated it lost confidence in Infantino, labeling the FFE proposal a "shabby, back room, opaque deal."

shabby, back room, opaque deal

โ€” UEFADescribing FIFA's aborted FFE proposal.

Despite internal criticism, including from FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, the management board reaffirmed their full support for Infantino. Both Infantino and Grafstrom sent a letter to FIFA's vice-presidents, council, and member associations, sincerely apologizing for their errors and committing to preventing future mistakes. FIFA acknowledged that errors were made after the proposal was leaked to the media, with The Times breaking the story on July 28.

a sad and reproachable series of events

โ€” Mattias GrafstromIn an internal memo sent to FIFA staff.

The governing body also stated it will no longer tolerate attacks on its integrity and good governance, vowing to take necessary measures to protect its name and reputation. Earlier, FIFA denied claims that Infantino had promised Morocco the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for support, calling the report "false and misleading."

mistakes were acknowledged

โ€” FIFAIn a statement following the management board meeting.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.