Gianni Infantino makes first admission of error over FIFA private investment plan

· Yahoo Sports

Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images

FIFA president Gianni Infantino signed a letter in which the soccer governing body’s top brass finally accepted that the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup was handled poorly.

The past couple of weeks have been quite uncomfortable for Gianni Infantino. Ever since reports came out about FIFA’s plan to sell stakes in their premier competitions to private investors, the soccer world has been up in arms.

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This isn’t great for Infantino, who is up for re-election in 2027. Already, FAs around the world are withdrawing their support for his presidency, and his future prospects are looking bleak.

FIFA has been forced to backtrack on their FFE proposal, too. After all the noise around the organisation and its president this week, fans have finally received some type of accountability.

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Leaked FIFA letter shows first hints of apology from Gianni Infantino

When FIFA announced that they would reconsider their proposal for financial investment, there was no admission of error. Now, there finally is one.

Sky Sports correspondent Rob Harris shared a leaked letter, which has been seemingly signed by Infantino as well as Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. It includes an acknowledgment that mistakes were made.

“We accept that mistakes were made in the process of the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE),” the letter states. We acknowledge that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to the media.

“We sincerely apologise for these errors and commit to them not happening again. With this in mind, we will conduct a necessary review, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting.”

While there is an acceptance of mistakes being made, the letter doesn’t take accountability for any particular ones. And considering the outrage over this issue, it might be too little, too late for Infantino.

Letter states FFE plan is being withdrawn, asks for attacks against FIFA to stop

The plan to have an organisation with private investors to run the World Cup was never going to sit well with soccer fans. They seem to have realised that, as the letter also states that it will be withdrawn.

And in announcing that, the FIFA hierarchy has also boldly stated that they will no longer tolerate attacks regarding their integrity.

“With the project withdrawn, FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.”

It’s a bit rich to accept that mistakes were made while threatening those that criticise them. It is hardly surprising, though, and is unlikely to earn them much goodwill within the soccer community.

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