FIFA secretary-general reassures staff as Infantino's Forward Enterprise plan is abandoned
Mattias Grafström told FIFA employees that the organization will remain stable despite the scrapped Forward Enterprise project, while senior officials have criticized the initiative and several football bodies have expressed loss of confidence in Gianni Infantino.
FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafström sent an internal memo to staff on Tuesday saying the organization will continue its mission despite recent setbacks involving Gianni Infantino’s proposed Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan. Grafström described the abandoned project as a "sad and reproachable series of events" that had now been permanently discontinued.
He wrote that "individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go" and assured employees they would be protected from the surrounding political pressures. "The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue," the memo added, urging staff to maintain professionalism.
Grafström’s comments follow criticism from FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who told the Associated Press that staff had been "deceived" and called the FFE initiative "the project of one person." Senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro also resigned over the plan. Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, said he learned of the proposal through media reports and deemed its withdrawal "absolutely necessary and beyond question," emphasizing his support for an independent FIFA.
European football governing body UEFA has called for Infantino’s removal, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership. The English Football Association is also expected to withdraw its support for Infantino’s re-election bid next year. FIFA has not responded to requests for comment.