Vinay Kumar
Gianni Infantino was reportedly in line to receive a $30 million annual base salary under FIFA’s now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, according to reports, adding another controversial dimension to a proposal that ultimately collapsed following widespread opposition from football’s governing bodies and member associations.The reported remuneration plan surfaced just days after FIFA officially withdrew the proposal to create FFE, a new commercial entity that would have overseen FIFA’s competitions while allowing private investors to acquire a minority stake in its commercial rights. The project was abandoned after strong resistance from UEFA, Concacaf, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), national football associations and senior figures within FIFA itself.
Reports claim Infantino was set for $30 million salary
According to The Times, cited by multiple British publications, the long-term vision for the FFE project would have seen Infantino assume the role of chief executive or commissioner of the new commercial entity.In that position, the FIFA president was reportedly set to receive an annual base salary of approximately $30 million, excluding any additional performance-related bonuses or incentives.The reports suggested the proposal extended beyond attracting private investment into FIFA competitions and envisaged a new executive structure under the commercial arm.FIFA, however, has rejected suggestions that such a remuneration package or executive arrangement was ever formally proposed.
FFE proposal sparked unprecedented backlash
The controversy centred on FIFA’s proposal to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have allowed outside investors to purchase a minority stake in the commercial rights of competitions including the FIFA World Cup.As previously reported, the proposal triggered fierce opposition across world football.UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously rejected the plan and warned they would boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the proposal proceeded. Concacaf and the AFC subsequently joined UEFA in publicly opposing the project, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned in protest, describing the proposal as “a bad deal for football.”Faced with mounting resistance, FIFA eventually withdrew the proposal before any vote took place.
UEFA says confidence in FIFA leadership has been lost
Although FIFA abandoned the project, UEFA insisted the decision alone was not enough to restore confidence.In a strongly worded statement, the European governing body said:“We cannot keep going on like this with secret schemes on fast track timescales, cooked up by faceless individuals and of dubious benefit to the game. We must identify those responsible and hold them to account.”UEFA added:“It is right that, in the coming days and weeks, UEFA will work with its associations and in close cooperation with other confederations to reflect on how this happened and devise a plan to make sure that it cannot occur again. That review should be thorough and fundamental.”The statement concluded with perhaps its strongest criticism:“No option should be off the table. The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA’s confidence, but also that of many other members of the football family.”The English Football Association also backed UEFA’s position, saying:“We fully support UEFA’s position. It is time for a full and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance to ensure that the global game is run transparently, for the benefit of all 211 member nations and with the long-term stewardship of football at its heart.”Concacaf likewise called for “a comprehensive reckoning” of Infantino’s presidency, describing the controversy as “a symptom of leadership that has stopped putting football first.”
FIFA disputes reports and explains withdrawal
Throughout the controversy, FIFA maintained that FFE remained only a consultation proposal rather than a finalised commercial structure.After confirming the project would no longer proceed, Infantino said:“The FFE project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our FIFA Member Associations and our sport worldwide, especially in those countries where support is most needed.”He added:“And, as we said from the outset, to do this only if a majority of the FIFA Member Associations were in support and always subject to a consultation process with them, the FIFA Council, the Confederations and wider stakeholders.”Explaining the decision to abandon the proposal, Infantino continued:“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.”He concluded:“Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed. Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that most need our support.”
Fallout continues despite proposal being shelved
While FIFA’s decision brought an end to the FFE project, questions surrounding its origins and governance continue to reverberate across world football.The reported $30 million salary plan, although disputed by FIFA, has added fresh scrutiny to a proposal that had already prompted boycott threats, public resignations and widespread criticism from confederations representing more than half of FIFA’s 211 member associations.Even with the proposal now withdrawn, the debate over FIFA’s governance and leadership shows little sign of ending as stakeholders continue to examine how the controversial project advanced as far as it did before ultimately being abandoned.
