FIFA drops controversial World Cup sell-off plan after widespread backlash

FIFA drops controversial World Cup sell-off plan after widespread backlash

 FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced the withdrawal
of the proposed Forward Enterprise Project, admitting that the initiative has
caused damaging divisions within the global football community.

 

The project was initially conceived to boost financial and
structural support for FIFA Member Associations, particularly in developing
football nations.

 

However, following resistance and widespread pushback from
key stakeholders, the world football governing body has decided to shelve the
proposal.

 

In a statement released on Friday, Infantino acknowledged
that while the initiative aimed to strengthen the sport globally, its divisive
nature ultimately undermined its core purpose.

 

“The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide
a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport
worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed,”
Infantino said.

 

“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become
clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of
the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in
the first place.”

 

 

Reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to harmony within
the sport, the FIFA chief confirmed that the proposal has been completely
scrapped.

 

“Our purpose has always been—and will always be—to unite and
improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed,” he added.

 

Infantino emphasised his intention to rebuild consensus
among member associations, confederations, and wider stakeholders to find
alternative ways to support underfunded regions.

 

“Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested
parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared
interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football
everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support,” he
said.

Source: FIFA drops controversial World Cup sell-off plan after widespread backlash

 - NigerianEye

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