FIFA has withdrawn from proceeding with the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" project.
The withdrawal came because FIFA saw that the proposal caused divisions among member federations, despite the support it received from a number of them.
FIFA explained, in an official statement, that the project aimed to strengthen the capabilities of member federations and provide additional support for the development of football, especially in countries that need assistance more, while emphasizing from the outset that its implementation was conditional on obtaining the support of the majority of member federations, and after consultations with the FIFA Council, continental federations, and relevant parties.
The statement added that the discussions held over the past period showed that the project created a state of division among the federations, which contradicts the basic goal for which it was launched, namely uniting the global football family and supporting the growth of the game.
FIFA stressed that its message will always be based on uniting and developing football, confirming that the proposal will not be adopted or work on it completed at the current stage.
The international federation indicated that it will begin, over the coming days and weeks, a series of consultations with all relevant parties, in order to reach a common vision that ensures the continued development of football in various parts of the world, with a focus on providing support to countries and federations that need it more, in a way that serves the interest of the game and preserves the unity of the football family.
FIFA had proposed establishing an independent commercial company to manage its commercial rights and major events before private sector investors.
The proposal faced much opposition from individuals within the international federation and the various continental federations.
Carlos Cordeiro, advisor to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, submitted his resignation from his position in protest against the proposal.
The European federation had previously announced that its national teams would boycott FIFA competitions "as long as these proposals remain in place." (See details)
CONCACAF officially rejected FIFA's proposal. (See details)
The Asian federation also announced its rejection of FIFA's proposal (See details)