By Paul Joseph
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged to support increased financial distributions to the organisation’s 211 member associations from its estimated £4.4 billion cash reserves.
Infantino made the commitment in a letter sent on Monday to FIFA’s six continental confederations, saying he would support “the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered.”
The development follows growing pressure on the FIFA president over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which sought to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors.
The proposal triggered criticism within football and calls for greater transparency, with UEFA and Concacaf reportedly demanding that FIFA distribute $10 million (£7.5 million) to each of its 211 member associations from its reserves.
The issue is expected to be considered by the FIFA Council at its meeting on October 15.
“I will not prejudge the amount,” Infantino said in the letter, adding that while “a single figure can begin the discussion, it cannot complete a global policy.”
Infantino also defended the now-withdrawn commercial proposal, maintaining that it was designed to generate additional revenue that could be invested in football.
“The recent commercial proposal, now withdrawn, was intended to enable FIFA to invest more in football,” he said.
Earlier this month, Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president, called on Infantino to release all documents relating to the FFE proposal and backed calls for an independent review of the plan.
Infantino, who was first elected FIFA president in 2016, is expected to seek a fourth term at the March 2027 election.
Potential opponents have until November 18 to nominate an alternative candidate.
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