‘Individuals come and go’ – FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom addresses crisis after Gianni Infantino plan collapse

FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom has attempted to steady the organisation amid growing unrest over Gianni Infantino’s abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, telling staff that “individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go” as pressure continues to build around the president.

Grafstrom, FIFA’s second-highest-ranking official behind Infantino, broke his silence on Tuesday after a turbulent week that saw the controversial project collapse and senior figures distance themselves from the proposal.

In an internal message sent to FIFA employees worldwide, seen by The Athletic, Grafstrom described the episode as a “sad and reproachable series of events” but insisted the governing body’s administration would remain protected and focused on its responsibilities.

“The last week has been both extraordinary and challenging for all the members of FIFA staff in our offices around the world,” Grafstrom wrote.

“We have all been thrown into the middle of a turmoil, which is difficult to comprehend and accept.”

The FIFA secretary-general added that employees should not be concerned about the political fallout surrounding the organisation.

“I assure you that you as members of the administration, you will be defended and safeguarded from the political context we currently experience. You do not need to worry.”

Failed FFE plan exposes divisions inside FIFA

The abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which was developed by Infantino, has triggered significant internal criticism, with questions raised about the process behind the initiative and the extent to which senior officials were involved.

Reports have indicated that Grafstrom was not aware of the details of the scheme before it became public, highlighting a growing divide within FIFA’s leadership structure.

The proposal’s collapse has also prompted criticism from FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who accused the organisation of being misled over the project and described FFE as “the project of one person”.

Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino’s senior advisers, also resigned last week after opposing the plans.

Although Grafstrom did not directly criticise Infantino in his message, his comments reflected concerns about protecting FIFA’s institutional credibility amid the controversy.

“Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go,” he said.

“The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue, and that is why we should always keep our professionalism, sense of perspective and composure.”

Wenger distances himself from Infantino proposal

Arsenal legend and FIFA’s chief of global football development Arsene Wenger has also revealed that he was not involved in the FFE discussions and only learned about the proposal through media reports.

The former Premier League manager said the decision to abandon the project was the correct one, stressing the importance of transparency and independence at football’s world governing body.

“The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side,” Wenger said in a statement shared by FIFA.

“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.”

He added: “The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”

Wenger’s comments further increased scrutiny on the leadership process at FIFA, with several influential figures now publicly expressing reservations about the direction of the organisation.

Pressure grows ahead of Infantino re-election bid

The fallout from the FFE controversy comes at a difficult time for Infantino, who is expected to seek another term as FIFA president next year.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, has reportedly withdrawn its support for Infantino, stating that it no longer has confidence in his leadership.

The Football Association of Wales has already moved to remove its backing for his re-election campaign, while the English Football Association is also expected to follow.

With opposition growing among key members of the football community, Infantino now faces one of the most significant challenges of his presidency.

For Grafstrom and FIFA’s administration, the immediate priority is restoring stability and separating the institution’s long-term mission from the controversy surrounding one of its most powerful figures.