Moroccan Football Federation backs Infantino’s call to abandon FIFA Forward Enterprise project

The Moroccan Football Federation has publicly supported FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s decision to withdraw the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project, saying the move serves the interests of the global football family.

In an official statement issued on Saturday, the federation said its president, Fouzi Lekjaa, welcomed the withdrawal of the plan. The proposed project was intended to create a new commercial entity connected to the rights to FIFA competitions.

Lekjaa said the decision to abandon the initiative was in the best interests of football’s worldwide community, according to the federation’s statement.

The announcement comes after Infantino withdrew the controversial project following a wave of criticism. The Moroccan federation did not set out the nature of those objections in its statement, but focused on the importance of preserving unity among FIFA’s member associations.

It said the progress achieved through FIFA’s development programmes in recent years, particularly in Africa, represented a significant achievement that should be protected.

The statement said: “What has been achieved in recent years through FIFA’s development programmes, particularly in Africa, represents an important accomplishment that must be preserved, in a way that benefits all member associations.”

The Moroccan Football Federation added that keeping the global football family united should take precedence over any disagreements that might arise over proposed reforms.

It said: “The unity of the global football family must remain the priority over any differences that may arise regarding the proposed reforms.”

According to the statement, Lekjaa also stressed that Infantino’s decision reflected an approach based on unity, cohesion and consultation between FIFA’s member associations.

The federation quoted him as saying: “The decision of the FIFA president reflects his vision of giving priority to unity and cohesion among the member associations, through a participatory approach aimed at developing football.”

Lekjaa also renewed his support for FIFA and Infantino, as well as for initiatives designed to strengthen and develop the sport around the world.

The statement said: “Fouzi Lekjaa renewed his support for FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, and for all initiatives aimed at enhancing and developing football worldwide.”

The Moroccan federation concluded by reiterating that unity should remain the guiding principle for decision-making across the sport.

It said: “The unity of the global football family remains the fundamental principle that should inspire all decisions within the game.”

The federation’s intervention represents an explicit endorsement of Infantino’s decision to withdraw FIFA Forward Enterprise, while also highlighting Morocco’s support for FIFA’s development work and for a consultative approach to future reforms.