Milan, Aug. 6 (LaPresse) – FIFA said it has apologized for mistakes made regarding Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and that officials attending a crisis meeting in Morocco “reaffirmed their full support” for his presidency. World football’s governing body sought to present a united front amid the turmoil caused by Infantino’s controversial plans, which prompted calls for his resignation. In a statement, FIFA said Secretary General Mattias Grafström and members of the executive committee attending the meeting in Rabat expressed their support for the embattled president. Referring to the plans to sell stakes in World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the statement said that “the mistakes made have been acknowledged” and that “the process should have been handled differently.” FIFA said a letter had been sent to the FIFA Council and member associations apologizing for the mistakes and committing to “ensure that they are not repeated.” The declared support from Grafström was significant after he had distanced himself from Infantino’s now-abandoned plans in an email sent to all FIFA staff describing the past week as “a series of sad and regrettable events.” FIFA said Infantino had also reaffirmed his support for the Secretary General. World football’s governing body said the FFE proposal is “now off the table.” “There are always lessons to be learned, and FIFA will continue to improve its processes in light of this experience,” it said.
FIFA, federation reaffirms “full support” for Gianni Infantino
Milan, Aug. 6 (LaPresse) – FIFA said it has apologized for mistakes made regarding Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and that officials attending a crisis meeting in Morocco “reaffirmed their full support” for his presidency. World football’s governing body sought to present a united front amid the turmoil caused by Infantino’s controversial plans, which prompted calls for his resignation. In a statement, FIFA said Secretary General Mattias Grafström and members of the executive committee attending the meeting in Rabat expressed their support for the embattled president. Referring to the plans to sell stakes in World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the statement said that “the mistakes made have been acknowledged” and that “the process should have been handled differently.” FIFA said a letter had been sent to the FIFA Council and member associations apologizing for the mistakes and committing to “ensure that they are not repeated.” The declared support from Grafström was significant after he had distanced himself from Infantino’s now-abandoned plans in an email sent to all FIFA staff describing the past week as “a series of sad and regrettable events.” FIFA said Infantino had also reaffirmed his support for the Secretary General. World football’s governing body said the FFE proposal is “now off the table.” “There are always lessons to be learned, and FIFA will continue to improve its processes in light of this experience,” it said.
