Infantino Apologizes for ‘Errors’ But Retains Fifa Presidency
Gianni Infantino has issued an apology for what he termed “errors” related to contentious plans to divest stakes in competitions to private investors. Despite the apology, he will continue as Fifa president, having secured the backing of senior executives during a meeting in Morocco.
Infantino convened members of the management board at Fifa’s Africa office in Rabat on Wednesday. This meeting followed increasing criticism of his withdrawn proposals. Four hours after the meeting concluded, the world football governing body released a statement expressing support for Infantino.
Criticism and Internal Support
Uefa, European football’s governing body, had previously stated it had lost confidence in Infantino, characterising the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal as a “shabby, back room, opaque deal.” Internal criticism also emerged from within Fifa, including from secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, who attended Wednesday’s meeting. In an internal memo sent to Fifa staff on Tuesday, Grafstrom described the situation as “a sad and reproachable series of events.”
However, following the meeting, Grafstrom and the management board “reaffirmed their full support” for Infantino as president. Infantino and Grafstrom also sent a signed letter to Fifa’s vice-presidents, council, and 211 member associations, in which they “sincerely apologise” for their errors. The two were photographed together at a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match in Rabat after the meeting.
Fifa acknowledged during Wednesday’s meeting that “mistakes” regarding FFE were “acknowledged.” The organisation stated it was “not the intention” for the Fifa council and member associations to “feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently.” Fifa also recognised that “errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media,” with reports breaking the story of Infantino’s plan on 28 July.
The statement from Fifa also asserted that the organisation “will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.” Earlier, Fifa denied a report that Infantino had promised Morocco it would host the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for its support, calling the claim “false and misleading.” Fifa stated that a decision on the final’s location, with the tournament also hosted by Spain and Portugal, would be made “in due course.”
Reactions and Future Outlook
Infantino appears poised to seek re-election for a fourth term. Potential rivals have until 18 November to declare their candidacy, with the election scheduled for the Fifa Congress in Morocco in March 2027. A candidate requires 106 votes from Fifa’s 211 members to win.
Uefa, however, may present a challenge. The European governing body had previously threatened legal action against Fifa. Several member associations, including Wales, with England reportedly considering similar action, had withdrawn support for Infantino’s re-election. Fifa maintained that while “mistakes were made,” all actions were in “full compliance with the Fifa regulatory framework,” and that the meeting’s outcomes would “strengthen Fifa’s governance” and “restore confidence in the organisation.”
Uefa has consistently reacted to developments since Infantino’s FFE plan emerged, from its initial rejection to a threat by all 55 member associations to boycott Fifa competitions, culminating in an effective vote of no confidence. Outside of Europe, only Concacaf as a confederation has criticised the Fifa president, though it did not express a loss of confidence. The Asian confederation also rejected the plan, but has not issued a blanket statement since its abortion.
While Uefa possesses significant influence, it cannot realistically unseat Infantino alone and requires broader global support. A longer list of countries, primarily from Infantino’s power base in Asia and Africa, have expressed support, including Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania, DR Congo, and the Philippines. These countries have benefited from funding through Infantino’s Fifa Forward programme, the precursor to FFE, receiving funding in each three-year cycle. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the plan.
Source: bbc.com
