OFC welcomes FIFA's U-turn: Pacific football now awaits next move

Oceania’s football leaders have welcomed FIFA’s decision to pull the plug on its controversial plan to bring private investors into its commercial business, saying the review must now strengthen trust in the global game.

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Executive Committee made its position clear after meeting on Wednesday and now back FIFA’s decision to withdraw the Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.

The OFC also called for greater transparency and respect for established processes.

It added this was a significant point, given the concerns raised across football about how the proposal was developed and presented to member associations.

“Good governance, transparency and respect for established institutional processes are fundamental to the effective administration and sustainable development of football,” OFC said in a statement.

“These principles are essential at every level of the game and should be upheld consistently by all football stakeholders.”

The statement comes less than two weeks after OFC’s 11-member associations were preparing to consider the proposal.

FIFA had proposed creating the FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new FIFA-controlled company combining its commercial rights and tournament operations.

It planned to raise up to US$4.2 billion (NZ$7.17 billion) by selling minority stakes to outside investors.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino withdrew the Forward Enterprise proposal earlier this month after concerns over the plan and its impact on the global game. Photo/Photosport/LaPresse/Fabrizio Corradetti

FIFA said the extra money would help increase funding for its 211-member associations, including lifting Forward funding from US$8 million (NZ$13.66 million) to US$20m (NZ$34.16m) per association for the 2027-2030 cycle.

But the plan quickly triggered concerns over governance, transparency and the lack of consultation with football’s regional bodies.

New Zealand Football has now gone further, withdrawing its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid and calling for an independent review of how the Forward Enterprise proposal was developed.

NZ Football announced on Friday that he handling of the proposal has damaged trust and contributed to greater division within the global game.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell had earlier questioned why FIFA needed to raise outside capital when the organisation was already financially strong.

“It is unusual to do a capital raise like that when capital is not your issue,” Pragnell told Reuters.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell questioned FIFA’s proposed commercial investment plan and its impact on trust within the global game. Photo/Photosport/Alan Lee/PMN News composite

Pragnell also acknowledged the benefits FIFA funding has brought to Oceania, while questioning how the proposal was handled.

“But the proposal itself, the way in which it was delivered, developed, the way members found out, and the shock to confidence amongst the international football system, has cast a pretty big shadow.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino withdrew the proposal earlier this month, saying it had created divisions that were no longer in the interests of its original goal.

OFC says it recognises the progress made in developing football across Oceania over the past decade and wants the review to build on that work.

“The development of football remains OFC’s priority,” it said.

“The Confederation will continue to support initiatives that strengthen the game and create meaningful, sustainable opportunities for football development across Oceania and globally.”

OFC headquarters in Auckland, where the confederation’s Executive Committee met this week to consider FIFA’s decision to withdraw its Forward Enterprise proposal. Photo/OFC

For Pacific football nations, the issue goes beyond the FIFA boardroom. FIFA development funding has helped support facilities, competitions and player development across the region, making the future of that funding particularly important for smaller associations.

Former Papua New Guinea international and former Football Australia deputy general secretary, Alex Davani, told Reuters the dispute also highlights concerns about how FIFA development money reaches smaller football nations.

Davani has described FIFA’s funding system as flawed and discretionary, saying smaller associations can be reluctant to speak openly because the funding is so important to their operations.

He says funding for Oceania has increased significantly under Infantino, from about US$2-3m (NZ$3.42-5.12m) to US$8m (NZ$13.66m) over four years, helping fund projects including national football centres in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

OFC says it will continue working with its member associations, FIFA, other confederations and football stakeholders as the review continues.

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