To Maintain Member Solidarity, Infantino Halts FIFA Forward Enterprise Process
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced the cessation of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, an initiative designed to create investment opportunities for football funding within the federation. According to Infantino, the project will not proceed after receiving various inputs from FIFA members.
“After listening carefully to all views presented, it has become clear that this project has caused division which, regardless of the level of support, is no longer aligned with our original objectives,” Infantino stated in an official announcement released by FIFA.
In his official statement, Infantino emphasised that the project’s initial aim was to strengthen support for FIFA member associations, particularly in countries most in need of funding to develop football and their national teams. He maintained that FIFA would only proceed with the project if it secured majority support from member associations, through a process of consultation with member associations, the FIFA Council, continental confederations, and other stakeholders.
He asserted that FIFA’s mission has always been to unite the football community rather than create polarisation. Consequently, the proposal will not be pursued. Infantino added that in the coming weeks, FIFA will reconvene relevant parties to find common ground for the continued development of global football.
The cancellation ends the controversy surrounding the plan to form FIFA Forward Enterprise, a company intended to manage rights to a portion of FIFA’s development programme revenue. Under this scheme, FIFA had considered selling partial ownership to private investors to raise new funds for global football investment. However, the plan sparked concerns among several member associations and confederations, who feared that private investor involvement could reduce FIFA’s control over long-term assets and raise questions regarding governance transparency.
Responding to the dynamics within FIFA, PSSI (Indonesian Football Association) Chairman Erick Thohir emphasised his support for a more inclusive future for football. Speaking in Jakarta, Thohir noted that the progress of Indonesian football is inseparable from the support of the community, the government, and FIFA. He highlighted the importance of FIFA’s presence, noting that FIFA has demonstrated commitment by establishing an office in Jakarta and contributing directly with budgets for the Oceania and Southeast Asia regions. Thohir stressed that Indonesia, with its massive football fanbase, requires genuine support rather than merely being treated as a commercial market.