FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s decision to withdraw the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal has drawn a wave of support from national football associations across Africa and the Arab world, with federation leaders describing the move as a triumph of unity over division within the global game.
The FFE initiative, first unveiled in late July, sought to bring private investment into FIFA’s commercial operations, including revenue linked to the World Cup. The plan drew fierce criticism from UEFA and other confederations amid concerns over transparency and governance, culminating in Infantino’s decision to scrap the proposal entirely on August 1.
Qatar and Morocco praise “wisdom” of the decision
The Qatar Football Association welcomed the withdrawal, stating that while the FFE proposal had merit, it applauded the reasoning behind prioritising unity among member associations. The QFA reaffirmed its full backing for Infantino’s continued efforts to grow the sport globally.
In Morocco, Royal Moroccan Football Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa echoed similar sentiments, noting that the progress achieved through FIFA’s development programmes particularly across Africa represented a valuable achievement that needed safeguarding.
Lekjaa called the withdrawal a wise decision that prioritised unity and a participatory approach to football’s development, while reiterating his backing for Infantino and future initiatives supporting the sport.
Mauritania and Djibouti stress unity over division
Ahmed Yahya, President of the Mauritanian Football Federation (FFRIM), welcomed the withdrawal while acknowledging that the development achieved through FIFA programmes in Africa must be preserved. He stressed that when a reform provokes deep divisions, unity within the football family must take precedence even where it conflicts with individual federations’ immediate interests.
Djibouti Football Federation President Souleiman Hassan Waberi, also a member of the FIFA Council, issued a similar message, framing the withdrawal as evidence of Infantino’s willingness to listen and engage in dialogue. Waberi noted that legitimate concerns raised by several federations had been heard, and reaffirmed his availability to help shape a future project built on broad consultation and consensus.
Niger’s FIFA Council member defends the process
Colonel-Major Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, a member of the FIFA Council representing Niger, offered a more detailed defence of the process itself. He noted that proposing reform is not inherently wrong, and that stagnation poses a greater threat to football’s progress than open debate. He pointed out that nearly 70% of national federations rely on FIFA resources to sustain their operations and development programmes, underscoring the need for solidarity among the organisation’s 211 member associations. Differences of opinion, he added, are natural in a democratic process, provided they do not compromise football’s collective interests.