RismadarVoice Reporters
October 15, 2026
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologised to members of the FIFA Council over his handling of a controversial investment proposal that would have transferred part of the organisation’s commercial rights to a private investment firm.
The proposal, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was withdrawn shortly after becoming public, but questions surrounding its development, approval process and financial implications have continued to generate concerns within football’s governing body.
During a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, members sought explanations from Infantino about the proposal and why it had not been formally presented to the Council before becoming public.
The meeting reportedly lasted three and a half hours and covered several other matters affecting international football.
Following the discussions, England Football Association chair and FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided, saying Council members had yet to receive important documents relating to the abandoned arrangement.
Hewitt said she had repeatedly requested access to the relevant records to enable members to understand the proposal, its development and the decisions taken before its withdrawal.
She explained that members were instead directed to submit their questions in writing, despite having previously sought clarification.
According to Hewitt, Infantino acknowledged that he should have brought the proposal before the Council and apologised for failing to do so.
However, she maintained that the apology did not resolve the outstanding concerns about transparency and accountability.
Hewitt argued that Council members needed access to the underlying documents before they could properly assess the circumstances surrounding the initiative.
She also indicated that the release of those records would be important in determining whether the controversy warranted further examination or possible legal action.
The dispute has reportedly extended beyond the FIFA Council, with UEFA also raising objections to Infantino’s handling of the matter.
The European football governing body has been linked to legal efforts in the United States seeking access to documents associated with the FFE proposal.
Hewitt maintained that the Council’s responsibility extended beyond receiving explanations, stressing the importance of reviewing the evidence before reaching conclusions about the conduct of those involved.
Asked whether the meeting had changed her assessment of Infantino’s leadership, she said no substantive new information had emerged to alter her position.
She nevertheless acknowledged that the FIFA president had expressed regret over the situation.
The abandoned proposal has renewed questions about governance, financial oversight and the involvement of FIFA’s decision-making bodies in major commercial arrangements.
Although the investment initiative has been withdrawn, the outstanding requests for documentation remain central to the dispute.
No finding of criminal wrongdoing has been established in the information presented, and the Council’s review of the circumstances surrounding the proposal remains unresolved.
