FIFA admits error in Forward Enterprise, promises overhaul
FIFA sent a letter signed by President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström to Council members and all 211 member associations, publicly acknowledging errors made during the creation of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. The document, dated 5 August in Zúrich, follows a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, where Infantino, Grafström and board members examined the crisis generated by the project.
The letter was addressed to the Consejo and the 211 associations, recognising that mistakes occurred both in handling the proposal and after it leaked to the media. It states, "Reconocemos que se cometieron errores..", a direct quotation that underscores the admission of fault.
In the same communication, the highest FIFA authorities offered a formal apology to every federation, saying they "Pedimos sinceras disculpas por estos errores y comprometemos a que no vuelvan a repetirse". They also announced an internal review and pledged to present a report at the next FIFA Council meeting.
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The letter the Forward Enterprise proposal, which was to be submitted for approval by member associations and the Council, is now officially off the table. The document declares the project "definitivamente descartado" and stresses that FIFA will not tolerate further attacks on its integrity, governance or due process.
Despite the admission of mistakes, Infantino and GRAFSTRÖM assert that all actions related to the initiative complied with FIFA's internal regulations. They note, "Siempre hay lecciones que aprender y seguiremos mejorando nuestros procesos a partir de esta experiencia".
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The communication also reaffirms FIFA's commitment to football development through the broader FIFA Forward programme, promising to work with members to continue supporting development for the 211 associations, confederations and regional bodies.
Finally, the letter leaves the door open for ongoing dialogue, offering to answer any questions and expressing hope to meet federations in person soon, aiming to close the episode that sparked internal questioning of the failed Forward Enterprise creation.