CAF backs FIFA after governance apology, endorses Infantino

The Confederation of African Football has unanimously endorsed FIFA’s joint statement acknowledging mistakes in the handling of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, while reaffirming its commitment to governance, transparency and due process.

The resolution was reached at a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, which also unanimously reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

PUNCH Online reports that FIFA unveiled the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise on July 28, 2026, as a new FIFA-owned commercial subsidiary to manage its commercial and event operations, including the World Cup, and to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority stakes to investors.

FIFA said the initiative was designed to increase funding for football development for its 211 member associations, but it was later withdrawn after criticism of the consultation process.

It drew criticism after concerns that FIFA’s Council and member associations were not adequately consulted during its development.

Meanwhile, FIFA apologised on August 6, 2026, after acknowledging that mistakes were made in how the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise was presented.

In a joint statement, Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the FIFA Council and member associations should have been more involved in the process, withdrew the proposal, and announced a review while maintaining that all actions complied with FIFA’s regulatory framework.

According to CAF, the continental football body took note of FIFA’s admission that mistakes were made during the process leading to the proposed establishment of the FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The statement quoted FIFA as saying, “We acknowledge mistakes were made in the process of the proposed establishment of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (‘FFE’).

“It was certainly not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and it should have been handled differently. We sincerely apologise for these errors and commit to them not happening again.”

It further quoted FIFA as saying, “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.

“Furthermore as already known, the proposal which would have been subject to the approval of the FIFA Member Associations and the FIFA Council, is now off the table.”

FIFA added, “There are always lessons to be learned, and we will continue to improve our processes in light of this experience.

“In this instance however, it is important to stress that although mistakes were made, everything that was done, was done in full compliance with the FIFA Regulatory Framework.”

Reacting, CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the continental football body welcomed FIFA’s position and remained committed to governance and transparency.