Egypt FA backs Infantino after FIFA withdraws Forward Enterprise proposal

The Egyptian Football Association has welcomed FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s decision to withdraw the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project after receiving feedback and comments from member associations.

Egypt’s governing body said the move demonstrated the importance of listening to national football associations and making decisions in the best interests of the global game.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Egyptian FA, led by Hany Abu Rida, praised Infantino for withdrawing the proposal in response to the views expressed by FIFA’s member associations.

“The Egyptian Football Association, headed by Hany Abu Rida, commends the decision of Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, to withdraw the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, in light of the observations and opinions received by FIFA from its member associations,” the statement said.

The association said genuine leadership was reflected in the willingness to hear the views of national bodies and act accordingly.

It added that the decision would help preserve the unity of the international football community, while reflecting an approach based on dialogue, consultation and respect for different opinions within FIFA’s structure.

The Egyptian FA also expressed confidence that FIFA and its member associations could continue working together in a spirit of cooperation and partnership.

It said that joint efforts should focus on finding the best ways to meet shared objectives and support the continued development of football around the world.

The statement concluded with a renewed declaration of full confidence in Infantino’s leadership. The Egyptian FA also reaffirmed its continued support for initiatives that serve national associations and strengthen the future of the global game.

The decision to withdraw FIFA Forward Enterprise follows opposition from several continental and regional football organisations.

UEFA had previously announced that its national teams would boycott FIFA competitions “as long as these proposals remain in place”.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) formally rejected the FIFA proposal, while the Asian Football Confederation also announced its opposition.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), meanwhile, announced that its executive committee would hold a meeting to assess the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.

FIFA Forward Enterprise had been presented as a proposed project before FIFA stepped back from taking it forward following the feedback received from its member associations. The Egyptian FA said the withdrawal underlined the value of consultation across the international game and represented a decision that protected the unity of football’s governing network.

The Egyptian federation’s statement did not set out any further details about the proposal or indicate whether an amended version might be considered in the future. Its focus was instead on backing FIFA’s decision and reaffirming its confidence in Infantino, while stressing the importance of cooperation between FIFA and national associations in developing football worldwide.