FIFA President Gianni Infantino has convened an emergency meeting of the organisation’s senior leadership in Rabat, Morocco, as scrutiny intensifies over FIFA’s abandoned proposal to introduce private investment into a company that would have managed its major tournaments.
The meeting brings together FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström and members of the organisation’s management board amid growing criticism from football governing bodies and national associations.
The latest development comes after former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, publicly distanced himself from the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
Wenger said he had no involvement in the initiative and supported FIFA’s decision to abandon it.
“I was not involved” in the plans, Wenger said, describing the decision to withdraw the proposal as “absolutely necessary and beyond question.”
He also reiterated his belief in an independent governing body for world football.
“I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity,” he added.
The FFE proposal would have seen FIFA establish a commercial entity to oversee the business operations of its competitions, with plans to sell a 20 per cent stake to private investors.
The proposal sparked widespread opposition from football’s continental governing bodies, including UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). UEFA reportedly warned it could boycott FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, if the plan proceeded.
Although FIFA has since abandoned the proposal, the controversy has continued to generate pressure on Infantino.
UEFA has publicly stated that it has “lost confidence” in the FIFA president, while several national football associations, including those of England and Wales, have withdrawn their support for him. The Scottish Football Association is also understood to support UEFA’s position.
According to reports, members of the FIFA Council are attempting to secure the 19 votes required to convene a meeting to hold Infantino accountable over the FFE proposal and his handling of the Folarin Balogun matter.
Should they fail to secure the necessary support—or if Infantino declines such a request—his critics are reportedly considering a “governance boycott” that could significantly disrupt FIFA’s operations.
In a message to FIFA employees, Secretary General Mattias Grafström acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the organisation, describing the past week as a difficult period.
“The sad and reproachable series of events” had ended with the project being “permanently abandoned,” he said.
Grafström also recognised the impact the controversy had on FIFA staff.
“You have been thrown into the middle of a turmoil, which is difficult to comprehend and accept,” he wrote, assuring employees they would be “defended and safeguarded from the political context we currently experience.”
He added:
“Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue.”
The developments follow the resignation of Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro.
While Infantino is still believed to enjoy strong backing from many African, South American and Oceanian football associations, the position of Asian member associations is expected to play a crucial role in determining his political future.
Several Asian associations, including those of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Lebanon, have expressed support for the FIFA president. However, Jordan has taken a different stance.
Jordan Football Association President Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein accused FIFA of attempting to influence his vote, alleging in a post on X that the organisation suggested funds owed to the Jordanian federation would be released if he supported Infantino.
FIFA has acknowledged the allegations but has not issued a substantive response.
Meanwhile, UEFA has informed FIFA that it is actively considering legal action over the abandoned FFE proposal. Lawyers acting for the European governing body have reportedly instructed Infantino and other FIFA officials to preserve all documents and records related to the project in anticipation of possible litigation.