FIFA admits mistakes in $20 billion privatisation plan and vows no more attacks will be tolerated

He acknowledges that it should have been handled differently

'FIFA acknowledged this Wednesday, at a meeting held in Rabat, that it made mistakes in its failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, through which it intended to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, and warned that it will not tolerate "any attack" on its integrity and that it will take all "necessary measures" to defend its reputation.'

In a press release, the body explained that the FIFA Council and the member associations did not intend for them to feel excluded from the process and admitted that it "should have been handled differently" and that mistakes were also made "after the proposal was leaked to the media".

In addition, in a separate letter addressed to the FIFA Council and the member associations, an apology was offered for these mistakes "and a commitment was made to ensure that they are not repeated", for which a review will be carried out and a report will be submitted to the FIFA Council at its next meeting.

"Following the withdrawal of the project, it was agreed that FIFA will no longer tolerate attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process, and that it will adopt all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation. There are always lessons to be learned from this experience, and FIFA will continue improving its processes. (...) While mistakes were made, everything that was done was carried out in full compliance with FIFA's regulatory framework," the note adds.

'FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and members of its Board attended the meeting, in which the discussions focused "on the need to improve processes following the withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal".'

According to the same version, the FIFA secretary general and the members of its Board of Directors backed Infantino, who in turn reiterated his "full support" for Mattias Grafström—critical of the FFE project—and for the FIFA administration "for its necessary and exceptional work in achieving its vision." All parties agreed that the processes, communications, and interactions between them "can and should be continuously improved in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency."

The "magnificent work" carried out by the FIFA administration was also recognized "which ensured the success of the World Cup" and which "would not have been possible" without all the parties involved "speaking with one voice and working as one team".

"In this regard, FIFA's senior management has full confidence that the results of today's meeting will strengthen FIFA's governance, help restore trust in the organization and allow us to prepare for the major events and challenges ahead in a united and transparent manner, while we continue with our mission to develop football worldwide," the statement adds.

Lastly, it was stated that FIFA will work "closely" with the stakeholders "to examine how it can continue supporting the development of football through the FIFA Forward program, for the benefit of the 211 member associations, the Confederations and the Regional Associations".