UEFA has launched a sharp critique of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asserting that the 56-year-old Swiss leader has lost the confidence of the football community. This rebuke followed the sudden announcement that FIFA would abandon a controversial proposal to launch a new commercial subsidiary, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The project, which was introduced on Tuesday, aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion based on a $20 billion valuation to manage events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.
In a statement issued hours after the project was shelved, Infantino claimed the proposal was intended to unite and improve the sport. However, he acknowledged that the plan had sparked significant division. "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," Infantino stated, adding that he intends to restore harmony among stakeholders.
UEFA’s response was particularly scathing, accusing Infantino of failing to uphold the promises of transparency he made when he first sought election in 2016. The governing body stated that Infantino had failed to treat FIFA’s finances as the money of its member associations and criticized his inability to utilize the organization's reserves—which exceed $5 billion—for the benefit of the game. "The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family," the UEFA statement read.
The criticism was echoed by powerful member associations. The English Football Association (FA) called for a "full and robust review" of FIFA’s leadership and governance, while the German FA (DFB) urged a fundamental culture shift, demanding that decisions be discussed within governing bodies. These organizations joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the North American and Caribbean federation (CONCACAF) in expressing opposition to the plan.
Had the proposal proceeded, FIFA claimed it would have provided each of its 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increased funding for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million. Despite these figures, the backlash against the plan has intensified scrutiny on Infantino’s path to an unopposed re-election for a final term next year.
