国际足联（FIFA）就有争议的世界杯利益出售计划承认过程失当并已下架该方案[1]。这项被称为FIFA Forward Enterprise（FFE）的计划引发全球强烈反弹，尽管因凡蒂诺在摩洛哥拉巴特的管理委员会会议中获得与会管理层"重申充分支持"[1]，但来自多方的压力持续升温。
欧洲足球联赛谴责该提议"危险"，涉及"深层治理问题"[1]。前足球运动员路易斯·菲戈直言不讳，表示"解决方案只需三个字：因凡蒂诺必须下台"[1]。加拿大总理卡尼指责因凡蒂诺的治理失败是"致命性的"[1]。欧洲足球协会（UEFA）表示，即使在因凡蒂诺放弃该计划后仍失去了对FIFA领导层的信心[1]。此外，FIFA高级顾问卡洛斯·科德罗上周辞职，首席运营官凯文·拉莫尔称员工被"欺骗"了[1]。因凡蒂诺计划在3月选举中争取第四个任期[1]。
FIFA has acknowledged missteps in its handling of a controversial proposal to sell World Cup broadcasting and commercial rights, apologizing for procedural failures [1]. The FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme has been withdrawn from consideration [1].
Despite the plan's withdrawal, pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino has not subsided. At a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the management committee "reaffirmed full support" for Infantino [1], yet the backlash from global stakeholders continues to mount. European football leagues have denounced the proposal as "dangerous" and symptomatic of "fundamental governance issues" [1]. Former FIFA executive Luis Figo stated: "The solution needs just three words: Infantino must go" [1]. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau characterized Infantino's governance failures as "fatal" [1]. UEFA, European football's governing body, declared it has lost confidence in FIFA's leadership even after the plan was abandoned [1].
The controversy has already prompted departures from FIFA's upper ranks. Senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned last week, and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour told staff they had been "deceived" [1]. Infantino is seeking a fourth term in the organization's March election [1].