By ABUBAKAR Ojima-Ojo
FIFA has announced that it will not proceed with its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project after consultations revealed that the initiative had created divisions among its Member Associations and key stakeholders.
In a statement posted on FIFA’s official X account and attributed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the world football governing body said the project was conceived to strengthen FIFA Member Associations and support the growth of football, particularly in countries where assistance is most needed.
“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,” the statement read.
FIFA said the proposal was only meant to move forward if it received the backing of a majority of its Member Associations following consultations with the FIFA Council, the Confederations and other stakeholders.
“And more so, as we said from the outset, to do this only if a majority of the FIFA Member Associations were in support and always subject to a consultation process with them, the FIFA Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders,” the statement added.
However, FIFA said feedback gathered during the consultation process showed the proposal had become divisive.
“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.
“Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve.”
FIFA confirmed that the proposal had therefore been withdrawn.
“As a result, this proposal will not proceed.”
The governing body added that its focus would now shift to rebuilding consensus among stakeholders.
“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.”
