FIFA President Gianni Infantino announces that FIFA is scrapping a private investment proposal following strong opposition from football officials worldwide. Multiple outlets report that the plan, floated earlier in the week, would have involved bringing private investors into FIFA’s major competitions or commercial rights through a new commercial structure, described by FIFA as a “FIFA Forward Enterprise” (FFE) and valued at about $20 billion. Reports say FIFA estimated the initiative could raise up to $4.2 billion, with one account noting a potential sale of a 20% stake in the new entity.
Infantino says in a statement that the proposal will not proceed. He frames the decision around FIFA’s purpose “to unite and improve,” and portrays the change as a response to “fierce backlash” from football officials, including regional governing bodies and member associations. The reports describe the backlash as widespread and significant enough to imperil Infantino’s leadership, but they consistently characterize FIFA’s outcome as the withdrawal of the plan rather than further negotiation. Overall, sources agree FIFA is stepping back from private investment tied to its commercial rights after public and institutional criticism.
