The Qatar Football Association has welcomed Gianni Infantino’s decision to withdraw his controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, saying the move serves the interests of the global football community and strengthens unity among national member associations.
QFA president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani endorsed the FIFA president’s decision not to proceed with the plan, describing it as a step “in the general interest of the international football community”.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the QFA said: “Although the proposal includes some ideas worthy of consideration, we commend making the continuity of the unity of all national member associations an immediate priority at the present time, and the wisdom behind this decision.”
The association added: “We affirm in the Qatar Football Association our full support for President Infantino’s continued efforts to develop and grow football around the world.”
Infantino’s proposal had faced mounting opposition from across the sport. FIFA Forward Enterprise was intended to be a new company bringing together FIFA’s commercial activities and the organisation of its tournaments, while also allowing private-sector investors to acquire a stake.
The plan triggered concern among several of FIFA’s confederations and member associations, with UEFA warning that it would boycott FIFA competitions if Infantino continued with the project.
The proposal was also opposed by the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF. In addition, American Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to the FIFA president, resigned in protest.
Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer, was also among those to criticise the plan.
Infantino ultimately announced that the project would be withdrawn after the backlash intensified across world football. However, the decision has not brought an end to the dispute surrounding his leadership.
UEFA reportedly remains determined to remove Infantino from his position as FIFA president, while CONCACAF has called for a “review of the FIFA presidency”.
The controversy has therefore moved beyond the future of FIFA Forward Enterprise and into a broader disagreement over the direction and governance of world football. The QFA’s statement places Qatar among those backing Infantino’s decision to abandon the proposal, while emphasising the importance of maintaining unity between FIFA’s national associations.
The association did not endorse every aspect of the original plan, acknowledging that it contained ideas that could merit further examination. Instead, its support focused on Infantino’s withdrawal of the proposal and the priority given to preserving the unity of FIFA’s members during the current period.
Despite that backing, opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, alongside the resignations and criticism from senior figures, means the FIFA president continues to face significant pressure.
