By Sabiu Abdullahi
FIFA has abandoned its proposed Forward Enterprise Project after strong opposition from stakeholders across the football community prompted the world governing body to reconsider the initiative.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the decision on Friday. He admitted that the proposal had created divisions that conflicted with the organisation’s objective of promoting unity in football.
The project was designed to increase financial and structural assistance for FIFA Member Associations, especially those in developing football nations. However, criticism from various stakeholders led FIFA to discontinue the plan.
Explaining the decision, Infantino said: “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.
“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.”
The FIFA president said the organisation would not proceed with the proposal, stressing that unity remains its guiding principle.
“Our purpose has always been—and will always be—to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed,” he added.
Infantino also said FIFA would begin fresh consultations with member associations, continental confederations, and other stakeholders to identify alternative ways of supporting countries that require greater assistance.
“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.
