Infantino apologises to Fifa Council - but told he's still not fit to lead

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his regret to the FIFA Council regarding his controversial plan for World Cup commercialisation; however, council members have insisted that he must release all pertinent documents and answer crucial questions in order to be deemed fit for leadership.

The FIFA Council convened in Zurich on Thursday for their first meeting since the emergence and subsequent abandonment of Infantino's secret FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, which proposed transferring a segment of the organisation's commercial rights to a private investment firm.

During the three-and-a-half-hour meeting, Infantino was also questioned about several issues, including the suspended red-card ban of Folarin Balogun, the FIFA Peace Prize, and the financing for national associations.

Debbie Hewitt, chair of the Football Association and a FIFA vice-president, remarked afterwards that numerous questions remain unresolved.

"One of the disappointing aspects was that we did not receive answers to any of the specific requests we had made, such as obtaining the documents related to the FFE," Hewitt stated.

"I posed the question 'why not?' and we were advised to submit those inquiries in writing."

"I believe he must address these questions, and if he fails to do so, he is not fit to be FIFA president—that sentiment was conveyed in the meeting."

Infantino, in his apology, indicated that his primary regret was not presenting the proposal to the council beforehand.

"If you feel that regret so profoundly, then share it with us."

When asked whether there was any shift in Uefa’s position regarding Infantino, Hewitt responded, "From my perspective, nothing has changed. I lack any new information that alters my view, apart from the fact that we currently have a president who is remorseful."